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WEDNESDAY. MARCH 25 . 2015 -Hamal 05, 1394 HS www.afghanistantimes.af www.facebook.com/ afghanistantimeswww.twitter.com/ afghanistantimes

No plan to Soaring insecurity: dismiss 13 civilians killed attorneys, on Kabul-Ghazni senators told KABUL: Giving a test to hundreds Highway of attorneys is in no way tanta- PARTNERSHIP AT News Report mount to sacking them, the Attor- ney General Office (AGO) said on KABUL: At least 13 people have Tuesday. CAMP DAVID: US Secretary of agenda, he said. This initiative re- been killed when a group of masked More than 200 AGO staffers State John Kerry on Monday an- flects the strategic importance of gunmen opened fire on a bus and were examined earlier in the month nounced the launch of a $800 mil- the US-Afghan relationship and it two other vehicles carrying civil- and five percent of them without lion New Development Partner- recognises a new era of coopera- ians on Kabul-Ghazni Highway. the required level of professional- ship with Afghanistan and re- tion between the two governments. The three vehicles were head- ism will be referred of the Admin- ing to Ghazni from Kabul when launch of the Bilateral Commission The partnership will pro- they were attacked by a group of istrative Affairs Office. and the Security Consultative Fo- mote Afghan self-reliance by us- masked gunmen in Haftasyab area But the move has come in for rum, as part of the effort to give a ing up to 800 million in US aid to of Maidan Wardak province, said flak from the Afghanistan Lawyers new direction to the bilateral rela- incentivise and measure Afghan- Ataullah Khogyani, spokesman for Association, which rejected on tionship. led reform and development activ- Maidan Wardak governor. He add- March 15 the test as unacceptable. A series of announcements ities and strengthen Afghan insti- ed that the gunmen killed 13 civil- But authorities argue AGO staff aimed at achieving this goal were tutions and fiscal transparency, ians including a woman and should sit the test to ascertain their wounded a nine-year old child. made by Kerry following day-long and give the new unity government Local security officials blamed the academic and professional abilities. discussions with the visiting Af- more opportunity to lead its own Briefing lawmakers on the is- Taliban for the attack. However, sue, acting AG Noorul Habib Jalal ghan delegation led by President development trajectory, he said. Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman told the Meshrano Jirga on Tues- Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive In his remarks, Ghani said the for the Taliban, rejected their in- Dr Abdullah Abdullah at Camp government of national unity was volvement in the attack and said day: The Presidential Palace has that the attack was conducted by received a report that a number of David. an enduring phenomenon. One of The depth of our discussions its key characteristics was its hon- spy agencies, though he didn t attorneys are 12th graders. mention name of any agency. This Subsequently, he informed the today reflects the critical nature of esty in dealing with the balance incident came around a month af- senators, we have been directed this moment, with Afghanistan s sheet that it had inherited, the ter that a group of masked gunmen to ascertain their qualifications. government of national unity now president added. stopped two buses on Kabul-Kan- In compliance with the orders, 212 fully responsible for the security I very much welcome the en- dahar highway in Zabul and kid- of the 1,920 attorneys were exam- of its people and moving ahead on ergy initiative because that is the napped 31 passengers of Hazara ined, the acting AG said. a reform agenda of its own design, difference between Afghanistan of ethnicity. The passengers are still Of those evaluated, 72 were Kerry told reporters. today and the Afghanistan of the in the kidnappers captivity. under-graduates, 70 without pro- At the center of the bilateral future. This energy initiative will fessional qualifications and 70 oth- relationship was a shared commit- turn us into a hub where energy Mahboobullah Mohibi ers had graduated from military ment to security and peace and a from Central Asia and also increas- Qatar s role in Afghan peace universities. But the test was not desire to promote prosperity and ingly generated into from Afghan- appointed as acting aimed at firing the attorneys, he social progress throughout Afghan- istan will flow into South Asia. It process crucial: HPC governor for Kabul explained. istan, he said, adding the goals were would make the dream of Asian Five percent of the 212 AGO outlined in the 2012 enduring stra- integration a reality, Ghani said. AT Monitoring Desk Mahboobullah Mohibi has been appointed as the employees could not answer even Acting Governor for Kabul province through a de- tegic partnership agreement. KABUL: The High Peace Council (HPC) believes that Qatar can play a crucial role in cree from President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani. He is ordinary questions, Jalal claimed, Kerry said later in the year he Summing up the day s pro- Afghanistan s peace process. Muhammad Ismail Qasyimyar, the HPC s advisor on interna- saying they would be transferred replacing Abdul Jabar Taqwa who was the governor would be traveling to Kabul to join ceedings, Abdullah described the tional relations, told Azadi Radio on Tuesday that Qatar is enjoying friendly relations with for Kabul province for the past three years. It is yet to other branches and the rest Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rab- meetings and the progress made as Pakistan and the Taliban, thus the country can play a key role in bringing peace to Afghan- unknown whether Taqwa has resigned from his post would continue in their positions. bani in hosting a meeting of the a new chapter in the bilateral rela- istan. This came at a time that Qatar s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani paid a two- or sacked. Mahboobullah Mohibi, previous Deputy Earlier, public representatives day visited Pakistan the other day. Jawed Kuhistani, a political expert said that Tamim Bin Governor, will be the acting governor for Kabul until called the test an insult to workers bilateral commission, which would tionship. Today was a unique Hamad Al-Thani s trip to Islamabad would help in convincing Pakistan to brining the Tali- the appointment of governor. Before working at the who had years of experience be- be the first since 2013. opportunity to once again take ban into negotiation table. Taking into confederation relations between Islamabad and Gulf governor house, he had worked for the Independent The creation of a New Devel- stock of what has happened, but, Arab states, and Qatar s ties with the Taliban in the past, Qatar s Emir can encourage Directorate of Local Governance and Independent hind them. They warned firing the Pakistani officials to cooperate in the peace process of Afghanistan, He added. According to attorneys could trigger a crisis in opment Partnership is aligned with more importantly, the way for- Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commis- the unity government s reform ward..." (Pajhwok) reports, Afghanistan s National Security Advisor Hanif Atmar had recently visited Qatar to sion. He has completed his higher education in eco- the country. (Pajhwok) discuss peace talks with Qatari officials. However, Doha rejected the reports. nomics from the University of Kabul. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF.

WEDNESDAY. MARCH 25, 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Uruzgan police chief was not Why an American and an Afghan are killed in suicide attack: Elders optimistic about Afghanistan s future KANDAHAR CITY: Tribal elders Sources had said Matiullah cameras at the Safi Landmark ho- and civil society activists from Khan was killed by a burqa-clad tel. The cameras show someone central Uruzgan province on Tues- suicide bomber in Kabul about a calls out Matiullah Khan at day claimed influential police chief week back. 7:00pm and he left. He was not a common man to be called out and meet someone, he said. The elder said there were no signs on Matiullah s body show- ing it was a suicide attack that killed him. Even his clothes, documents and cell phones were not damaged, he said. A civil society activist, Javed Khpalwak, said Matiullah Khan had been active trying to provide all equipment to police and financially supporting residents in Matiullah Khan had not been killed Samiullah Sharafat, one of the getting education and healthcare be- in a suicide attack, but he was found elders from Uruzgan, said they ar- sides maintaining security in the dead under mysterious circum- rived in Kandahar to address a province. Matiullah Khan, 43, was stances in a Kabul hotel. press conference because a fewer born in Tarinkot, the provincial Addressing a press conference number of journalists existed in capital. He was a nephew of former in Kandahar City, the capital of their home province. governor Jan Muhammad Khan, a southern Kandahar province, the He said though Kabul police close ally of former president Ha- elders and activists from Uruzgan claimed Matiullah Khan had been mid Karzai. warned they would launch a series killed in a suicide attack, but see- Khan left behind four broth- of protests if the government did ing his body revealed he had been ers, three wives, eight sons and six not accurately investigate Khan s shot in the chest. daughters. murder. We have checked security (Pajhwok) Kunar residents warn of retaking school land ASADABAD: Residents on Tues- Khan said every new provin- no positive response so far. day warned of retaking land they cial education director had prom- He said he had also submitted had donated for a girls school in ised resuming construction work a report to the Education Minis- the Dangam district of eastern on the school, but they did noth- try in this regard and repeatedly Kunar province if the government ing in practical. called the firm s officials to appear did not complete construction Provincial council s deputy before him, but they did not. A man dances during celebrations for Afghan New Year, or Newroz, in Kabul on March 21, 2015. work on its building. head, Jamaluddin Sayar, also con- Kunar police chief Brig. Gen. A contract for construction of firmed construction work on the Abdul Habib Syedkhel said police The news from Afghanistan is fre- stration, unlike Karzai s, is one says he is not worried by that. Americans are rightly wary a building for the school in Bidad school building had been stopped were searching for officials of the quently depressing, but a that wants to do the right thing, The Taliban are there, but I of open-ended military commit- area had been concluded in Kabul four years ago. He said currently Sharq company to find them and former American official and an is increasingly building the capa- don t see any reason for anyone ments, Flournoy says, but she and residents had devoted a piece displaced families were housed in bring them to justice in coopera- Afghan citizen both say there are bility to do the right thing. What to panic and say we can t do any- argues that after any war ends of land for it four years ago, but the facility and they led a misera- tion with Nangarhar authorities. reasons to hope. we know from Afghanistan s his- thing, he says. They re there there s always been a sort of tail. the structure is yet to be fully ble life due to no facility on the Acting governor Shujaul Mulk There are still very real secu- tory is when good government has and we are there, too. Whether it was continued assis- built. land. Jalala linked the incomplete project rity threats from the Taliban in- the support of the international But Flournoy cautions that tance to Europe after World War II, A resident of the area, Itbar Work on the school was to signing its contract in Kabul and surgency and so forth, but community, it can do very well and prolonged commitment is neces- continued assistance and advising Khan, who had donated half an stopped four years ago. Residents handing over the project to sub- [there s] progress in terms of fi- help the country make progress. sary if Afghans like Sharifi are to to Korea after that conflict came acre of his land to the school, told have been complaining to us and contractors. nally having a government we can Afghans like Omar Sharifi, cur- build the country they think is to a close. ... This is a very normal Pajhwok Afghan News construc- we have assured them that the is- He told Pajhwok Afghan News work with and that s seen as legit- rently a Ph.D. student at Boston possible. This is going to be a thing in security terms that you tion work on the school building sue will be taken up with the gov- nothing had been achieved from the imate by the Afghan people, says University, share that optimism. long-term project, she says. Af- have some continued advising, as- had been halted four years ago. ernor s house. 5.6 million afghanis contract for Michèle Flournoy, a former under- A lot of things in Afghanistan ghanistan is one of the least-devel- sisting relationship with our mili- He said tribal elders and resi- Provincial Education Director the school building. Jalala said such secretary of defense in the Obama have completely changed in the last oped countries of the world, their tary supporting the indigenous dents had tried their level best to Syed Jamaluddin Hasni said the contracts should be signed by pro- administration. [There s] progress 12 years, Sharifi says. Not only development arc is going to take military and security forces. get resumed the construction Ministry of Education had signed vincial governments in order to in health, economics, women s the landscape, but the people and many, many years likely de- But in the end, she says, a mil- work, but in vain. a contract for the school building keep construction firms from aban- rights and so forth the mentality. There are a lot of cades. itary mission won t do the job He said if the government had with a local company in Nangar- doning projects. The country s new govern- achievements. ... So when I look With two decades of experi- and Ghani knows that. What no intention to complete the school har called Sharq . The Nangarhar Sharq Com- ment has been a key to that back, despite all the troubles, how ence in the West, including a stint [Ghani s] asking of the United building, he would start cultivat- He said the firm had complet- pany has no office in Jalalabad or progress. The relationship be- much [has] been achieved, I am at the World Bank, Flournoy States, of the international com- ing crops on the devoted land. ed 70 percent work on the school here in Kunar, it has no telephone tween notoriously corrupt former very hopeful. thinks Ghani is well-suited to build munity, is not to fight Afghani- Construction work on the building before abandoning the numbers. I don t think the firm it- Afghan President Hamid Karzai Sharifi plans to go back consensus, both in his country and stan s battles for it anymore, school building was stopped four project. self had started the project. It must and the United States soured in to Kabul when he s done with his with international partners. But Flournoy says, but simply to years ago. The contractors had once He said he had discussed the be a subcontractor who fled be- recent years, but Karzai was re- studies and look for a job with the she argues that Washington also provide the kind of assistance and brought some woods used in con- issue with provincial as well as fore completing 75 percent of placed last fall by Ashraf Ghani in government or in higher education. needs to stick with Afghanistan for support that s necessary for him struction works, but they took Kabul officials and had referred the work, for which the sub-contrac- Afghanistan s first-ever democratic He acknowledges that could bring the long haul even by leaving to keep chipping away and make them away later. The school cur- construction company to the pros- tor seems to have received funds. transition. threats from the Taliban, but he some soldiers in the country for progress inch by inch, foot by foot rently depicts a picture of rubble. ecutor s office, but there had been (Pajhwok) Flournoy says Ghani s admin- has lived through so many wars he limited backup. over time. (PRI) Jawzjan carpet market Weapons, explosives seized in Helmand operation 20,000 more Khost LASHKARGAH: Security forces and machinegun. Police also con- to Mahmood, who informed con- have seized a huge quantity of light fiscated a vehicle belonging to the struction works on the area s roads slump fuelling concerns and heavy weapons and explosives Taliban, he added. had been launched to facilitate se- girls to attend school SHIBERGHAN: Carpet manufac- fer a major setback. during a search operation in south- The border police commander curity forces movement. KHOST CITY: As many as 20,000 City and districts. turers in northern Jawzjan prov- Mah Gul, another weaver, said ern Helmand province, an official said the area had been a stronghold Security forces had previous- more girls would be enrolled in A multi-sections institute was ince on Tuesday complained rug she had crafted Afghanistan s map said on Tuesday. of Taliban before they were driven ly also seized a huge quantity of school in southeastern Khost also available for female students prices had slumped by 50 per cent, on one of her carpets, but nobody The weapons and explosives as a result of an ongoing operation arms and ammunitions in the area, province this academic year, the in Khost City, where currently 30 discouraging the people associat- was ready to buy it. She asked the were found and seized during raids and therefore more weapon catch- which is considered the most dan- ed with the industry. government to find a market for on homes and agriculture fields in es were expected to be found. gerous in Helmand. Earlier, they said, a 6-metre their products; otherwise their the Trikh Nawar area of Marja He said the fleeing insurgents A security operation code- carpet sold for 34,000 afghanis, but families would suffer. district on Monday, Helmand s had been unable to take with them named Zulfikar has been ongo- the prices had fallen to 18,000afs. Tokhta Murad, a businessman, 604th Zone border police com- their weapons. Mahmood said ing in the area over the past five In the current situation, they have said one metre carpet was previ- mander, Brig. Sultan Mahmood, maintaining security in Trikh weeks to subdue insurgents. option but to go to neighbouring ously made for 4,000afs but the said. Nawar needed a lot of work due to countries in search of employ- cost had come down to 1,500afs. He said the seizure included the area s complex geographic lo- The area, 10 kilometres from ment. The industry had suffered a lot 10 light and heavy weapons, 101 cation. Lashkargah, the provincial capital, Local officials say more than and nobody would know Afghan rocket shells, 80 landmines, 200 Security forces have estab- had been under Taliban s control 20 percent of Jawzjan residents, carpets in the not-so-distant fu- kilograms of explosives and hun- lished three large and several small over the past eight years and including women, were employed ture. dreds of bullets of Kalashnikov check-posts in the area, according served as their stronghold. in the carpet industry. The carpets Yulberz Atayee, the Jawzjan woven in Aqcha district are famous chamber of commerce and indus- globally. try head, said until 2012 they had Jamila, 50, who had come to 2 million square metres of carpet Shiberghan for selling her hand- exports annually. The exports have made carpets, told Pajhwok Afghan now decreased to 200,000 square News: Before the market was metres. Atayee added Afghan car- much better. What we used to sell pets were smuggled to Pakistan and for 400 afghanis now doesn t sell subsequently sold as Pakistani education director said on Tues- students were registered, Bakhtiar for even 200afs. products in international markets. day. added. She expressed her concern at If the authorities are not seri- In an exclusive interview with The education department has the price decline, saying carpet- ous and do not pay attention to Pajhwok Afghan News, Eng. Ba- also been planning to open prima- making was her only source of in- creating industrial zones for us, our kht Noor Bakhtiar said awareness ry education centers this year for come. She warned if the situation carpets will lose their marketabili- programmes - led by tribal elders girls who had been deprived of and religious leaders - had encour- education. continued, the industry would suf- ty edge, he warned. (Pajhwok) aged families to send their daugh- The director said his depart- ters to school. ment had many achievements re- Nangarhar to have more His department planned to garding girls education last solar enroll 60,000 new students, includ- year that ended on March 21. ing 20,000 girls, in schools this Nearly 10,000 illiterate women greenhouses, cold storages solar year, he said. received education courses JALALABAD: More greenhous- als had been submitted to the Min- Currently 100,000 girls are launched by UNESCO last year, es and cold storages for agricultur- istry of Agriculture to further de- attending school and their number he added. al produce are being built to im- velop the province s agriculture, if will be increased to 120,000 after Education officials say cur- prove the sector in eastern Nanga- the proposals were approved. more girls are enrolled, the direc- rently 400 schools, including 70 rahar province, a senior official said The farmers day was cele- tor said. which have new buildings, are open on Tuesday. brated at the Sherzai Cricket Sta- He said all 72 girls schools, in Khost City and districts. Near- Though above hundred cold dium by arranging an exhibition including primary, middle and ly 360,000 boys and girls attend storages exist in different districts showcasing different stalls of food high, were operational in Khost schools in Khost. (Pajhwok) of the province, the government is and agricultural items. planning to increase their number Haji Zamarai Ahmadzai, a lo- to further develop the agriculture cal elder, told Pajhwok Afghan 3,100 fruit orchards grown in north in 3 months sector, Deputy Governor Moham- News farmers struggled with find- mad Hanif Gardiwal told a gather- ing access to market for their prod- MAZAR-I-SHARIF: More than duced in Afghanistan ing marking Farmers Day in Jala- ucts. The lack of market is one of 3,000 fruit orchards have been es- and thus decrease fruit labad, the provincial capital. the main problems farmers face, tablished over the past three imports. We import vegetables from he said, urging the government to months in five northern provinces Mohammad An- Pakistan but we have kept avail- take concrete steps toward ad- under the Agriculture Ministry s war, a resident of the able our own vegetables in every dressing the issue. National Horticulture and Live- Dehdad district, told season because of the cold storag- He demanded the government stock Project (NHLP), an official Pajhwok Afghan News es , the deputy governor said with construct veterinary clinics for said on Tuesday. he used his two and a pleasure. animals and cold storages for agri- NHLP head in the north, Ah- half acres of land to The government is serious to culture products. (Pajhwok) mad Fahim Jabbari, told Pajhwok grow an orchard under build a cold storage for every five Afghan News a total of 3100 or- the NHLP. hundred people this year to pre- chards had been planted in various He said the govern- serve their agricultural products areas of five northern provinces ment was providing and food. over thousands of acres of land. tree saplings to land Hamidullah Nazir, the provin- He said the orchards were owners on subsidised cial agriculture director, said agri- grown on 640 acres of land in Sa- rate besides training cultural growth had increased in mangan, on 450 acres in Balkh, on them how to grow an the province last year, when 175 acres in Jawzjan, 140 acres in orchard. 225,000 metric tonnes of wheat, Faryab and on 300 acres in Saripul The World Bank- 200,000 metric tonnes of rice and province. funded $118 million 100,000 metric tonnes of maize The orchards planted in Balkh NHLP is being imple- were harvested, up from previous included almond, apple, apricot, mented nationwide un- years. pomegranate, grape and others, he til 2018. The project Besides these products, said, adding the trees suited was launched in 2008 around 287,000 metric tonness of Balkh s climate. and so far orchards on vegetables were produced in the Jabbari said the aim of grow- 27,500 acres of land province last year, said Nazir. ing the orchards was to improve have been established He said 170 different propos- quality and quantity of fruits pro- in the north. (Pajhwok) This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. WEDNESDAY. MARCH 25, 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Transcript: NPR s interview with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani LIVING IN LUXURY IN heart of a desert US critical to AFGHANISTAN S KABUL: Even though we hadn t ment. A mutually acceptable peace seen each other in years, the Tali- plan is still no more than a distant ban official remembered me when fantasy. Although Taliban insiders I called. I d heard he was living in and senior Afghan officials say the FUTURE: Ashraf Ghani the Gulf emirate of Qatar, and I two sides are getting close to be- was planning to travel there soon. ginning formal talks, no date has Good, he said, let s meet for lunch been set. down there, one of the things you see the contracts yourself? President Ghani, is the threat that or dinner. So far, the Qatar contingent can did was fire it seems like dozens AG: For the large contracts, ISIS will spread into Afghanistan? As I flew to Doha recently, I point to only one achievement of of workers, from border guards to yes. And I m not doing it. I m chair- What is the likelihood? And is the looked forward to seeing him. But consequence: the swap that freed district governors. Who do you ing a commission. concern, is it great enough to be an by the time I landed in this futur- five senior Guantanamo prisoners replace these people with? Is there RM: But it s a presidential argument for troops staying long- istic city beside the sea, he wasn t last May in exchange for Bowe so welcoming. He arrived at my Bergdahl, a captured American sol- a group of honest, competent peo- commission? er? hotel room looking tense and un- dier. Bergdahl remains on active ple out there that you re drawing AG: It s a presidential com- AG: Daish, its Arabic name comfortable. Don t use my duty while the Army decides from? mission. RM: Daish, yes, ISIS. name, he said immediately. whether to court-martial him on AG: Yes. That s why we could RM: And it overrides minis- AG: It goes through four Don t tell anyone you ve seen charges of desertion. form a government of national uni- ters? phases. Organize, orient, decide, me. No photos. No camera. No Meanwhile, the Guantanamo ty fighting corruption. The ordi- AG: No, the ministers are enact. We documented the first nothing. Five are in Qatar, at Washington s EMERGENCY Several days later, I set out to behest. Under the terms of their nary Afghan is sick and tired of it, members of it. But the due pro- three phases. We preempted them see the exclusive neighborhood in release, they re barred from leav- CALLS Afghanistan s President Ashraf because it s she or he that pays cess needs to be observed because from acting. If al-Qaida, all apolo- suburban Doha where some of the ing the country until a year has Ghani is in Washington, D.C., this the price. If you ve just graduated that s the seal of integrity. Presi- gies to Microsoft for the analogy, Taliban live. But as I tried to turn passed. Not that they have any- Police week for his first official visit. He from a teachers training college and dent Truman made his name by is Windows 1, Daish is Windows onto a palm-shaded street, a guard place else to go; neither Pakistan in uniform stopped me and de- nor Afghanistan wants them, fear- will go to Capitol Hill and to the the provincial director wants looking into contracting. And 5. So, they are posing a threat, but 100 - 119 $2,000 from you, how are you that s how integrity within the we are determined to make sure manded to see my ID and a resi- ing they will return to the battle- White House, where he s expect- dency permit. I turned back. field. ed to push to slow down the draw- going to pay it? military procurement started in the that they do not do the kind of In all my years of reporting on The emir has every reason to Hospitals down of American troops so that RM: The provincial director, United States. atrocities that they ve managed in the Taliban, I ve never been as keep them as comfortable as pos- education director. RM: The buck stops here. Syria, Iraq, Libya or Yemen. more of them will stay longer in stonewalled as I was by the offi- sible. By accepting custody of the FMIC Hospital Afghanistan. AG: Yes, of education, for in- AG: Yes. So, the other is, I m RM: A few days ago, a group cials who staff the Afghan insur- former Guantanamo inmates, he gency s political office in Qatar. solved a sticky problem for the Behind Kabul Medical That request will be taken se- stance, which was one of the fired. not taking power. I m catalyzing of young men beat to death a young RM: One of the people, one systemic change. So for a couple woman. They thought she had They make no effort to disguise Americans and earned valuable University: riously, in no small part because themselves or their identities. Even diplomatic points in Washington. President Obama has embraced of the people fired in Herat. of years, we will centralize pro- burned the pages of the Quran. Her on the streets of Doha, a city filled At the same time, he wants Islam- 0202500200-+93793275595 Ghani as the partner he never had AG: Yes, exactly. And the sys- curement, then it s going to go again parents say she was mentally ill. with throngs of expats from all over ists in Qatar and the rest of the in former President Hamid Karzai. tem prevented the honest people to credible entities and institutions She was killed at a famous shrine the world, the Taliban s long Arab world to see him as sympa- Rabia-i-Balkhi Hospital from working. We aren t discover- that could take care of it. right in the middle of the day, in beards, turbans and traditional Af- thetic to the Taliban. And certainly, Ghani could ghan clothing stand out. Just don t Accordingly, the Guantanamo Pule Bagh-e- Umomi hardly be more different than his ing a lot of talent because an hon- RM: Let me interject some- the middle of Kabul, with a crowd est system brings honest people. thing you would know better than urging these guys on. To them des- expect to get answers from these Five are also getting the royal treat- predecessor. He spent 20 years in guys. They don t like nosy strang- ment. In fact, to help them feel less 070263672 the West mostly as an official For instance, salaries. Salaries are anybody. No economy can fully ecrating the Quran is punishable ers. homesick, each one has been al- at the World Bank, where he spe- a huge area of corruption. We are function when large swaths of the by death. But what do you as pres- Like a Five-Star Hotel lowed to bring in five other Tali- Khairkhana Hospital cialized in economically troubled now talking to some of the most country are conflict zones, when a ident say to these men who killed As one of the world s wealth- ban families for assistance and innovative thinkers in technology simple delivery truck can t go into this woman? What do you say to iest countries per capita, Qatar has companionship. As of a few weeks 0799-321007 countries. He s happy to be called always attracted ambitious Afghan ago, there were said to be 35 Tali- a technocrat and a reformer. In his that we could become the first coun- a province next door to the capi- them because they also are your 2401352 try that can make payments of all tal, Kabul. Now you re going to people? men looking for jobs as truckers, ban households linked to the six months on the job, Ghani has builders and heavy-equipment former prisoners in and around salaries through the phone. be meeting with President Obama AG: No, they are my people, taken very public aim at rapacious operators. But the Taliban have Doha, with more expected to ar- Indira Gandhi Children governors and corrupt ministries. RM: Through the phone? this week to work on troop levels they suffer from post-stress dis- their own reason to be there. In rive soon. Soon after he arrived on AG: Yes. and timetables. But let me just ask order syndrome. 2013 their leaders assigned them Despite such enviable accom- Hospital, Wazir Akbar to open an office in Doha and be- modations, not all of the former Sunday, Morning Edition host RM: Clear out the middle man. you a larger question. I think it s RM: From the whole Khan, Kabul 2301372 AG: Clear the middle man. So fair to say average Americans think they re young, but from whole gin exploratory peace talks with Guantanamo inmates seem happy. Renee Montagne joined him at the the U. government. Reports are circulating among se- White House guest quarters: Blair some of those solutions lie in in- that the average Afghan doesn t endless war. Even though the meetings soon nior Taliban commanders that at House. The following is a tran- novative technology. But the most want American troops in their AG: The endless war. But my broke off, the Taliban negotiators least two of them are eager to leave Ibn-e- Seena script of the interview: significant thing is public partici- country. How true is that? message to them has been very and their families stayed on as Qatar and return to the war zone. Pul-e-Artan, Kabul RENEE MONTAGNE: President pation. That assures the Afghan AG: It s not true. Former clear. There s no place for mob jus- honored guests of the emir and his The reunion could get ugly. One of people. We have good lives here, the reputed malcontents, Mullah 2100359 Ashraf Ghani, good morning. public that our promises are not President Karzai held a consulta- tice in Afghanistan. I ve put a com- empty. tive assembly, September of 2013. mission I ve put some of the my old acquaintance says. We Fazl Akhund, was head of the Tal- ASHRAF GHANI: Good thank the state of Qatar for that. iban regime s army until his cap- morning to you and to your listen- RM: Could you give us an ex- He brought representatives from most respected religious scholars Yet this arrangement doesn t ture during the 2001 US-led inva- Wazir Akbar Khan ers. ample of one specific project or all over the country and he asked on it women s activists, civil sit well with other Afghans in Qa- sion. Hospital ministry you re dealing with? them whether they approved of rights activists, human rights ac- RM: You came into office tar. Some have long memories of Senior Taliban members say 2301741, 2301743 pledging to fight corruption. This AG: Absolutely the Min- the bilateral security agreement. tivists and they are going to inves- beatings or imprisonments they he s convinced he should lead the endured when the Taliban ruled insurgency. He regards Mullah was a top priority. Corruption is istry of Defense, the Ministry of They overwhelmingly said yes. tigate this. Ninety percent of our Defense. There were allegations RM: And why do Afghans police are fighting terrorists, so we Afghanistan. Others resent the Akhtar Muhammad Mansour, the something that has become endem- envoys privileges. They ride current chief of the group s ruling Ali Abad ic to Afghanistan over these past that there was a difference in fuel want troops in their country? don t have enough oriented to- around in big fancy cars, wearing council, as a usurper. One senior Shahrara, Kabul years. What, though, is the dam- contract for three years, which was AG: Because, because they wards their key duty, which is en- spotless white clothes and expen- commander says members of age? Who or what is hurt when roughly estimated at one billion see the United States as critical to forcement of the law. But these are sive sunglasses, says an Afghan Mansour s circle, trying to head 2100439 corruption reaches this level? [dollars]. And that the difference their future. You cannot imagine precisely the inheritance that we businessman who has spent most off a power struggle, have warned of the past 30 years in Qatar. Western intelligence that Fazl is AG: First, the poor are hurt. between the contract that was ac- what life was like in December of want to overcome. Malalai Maternity cepted and the other bids were 2001. Particularly the mark for suc- They don t have to sweat for a likely to join ISIS if he s allowed Thirty-six percent of the Afghan living like the rest of us. to leave Qatar. Hospital population lives below poverty. $211 million. I cancelled it. I rebid RM: I can, I saw Kabul. Kab- cess for us would be that a woman Far from it, the oil-rich state In the Pakistani borderlands, Second, women are hurt. We have, the entire process and I suspend- ul was destroyed. can not only walk in the streets of provides its Taliban guests and the group s followers have more 2201377/ 2301743 unfortunately, thanks to 36 years ed all the officials who were en- AG: Kabul itself was ground every major city, but can go from their families with every comfort: pressing worries. They say they re of conflict, a lot of female-headed gaged in it. So there is a full inves- zero. West Kabul now, which is one province to another without luxury SUVs, free medical care and sick of waiting for the supposed air-conditioned homes the size of peacemakers in Qatar to deliver a Banks households. Three, the youth are tigation of everyone underway. We thriving, was totally devastated. It any hindrance. are going to save the Afghan trea- looked like ruins from the medi- And our women are doing re- small castles. Their bathrooms are deal. Not long ago I ran into a hurt. Our majority are youth, un- bigger than our living rooms, says former Taliban intelligence officer Da Afghanistan Bank der 30. They have no hope. They sury and the American public, who eval times. So it s a different coun- markable things, you know. One an Afghan who has done plumbing who now peddles fruits and vege- 2100302, 2100303 don t get jobs. To sum up, the are underwriting the bill, hopeful- try and the United States has been of them has written a poem. She s jobs for Taliban households in tables on a roadside in Peshawar. country hurts. The good news is ly tens of millions, if not hundreds critical to this. Over a million Amer- a 17-year-old that won the first Doha. Last night was rainy, he said. Kabul Bank that it can be overcome. The bad of millions of dollars. And in the ican soldiers have served with Af- prize in the Emirates Airlines po- The service they get is like a My house has only a mud roof. I five-star hotel, says a Kabul- didn t know how else to keep it news is that it requires enormous process, now we ve changed the ghans over these years. They ve etry contest. 222666, 070285285 procurement system, the way we gotten to know our remotest val- And her poem is that she fell based Afghan intelligence officer from collapsing, so I spent the amount of effort, and determina- who specializes in tracking Tali- night reciting verses from the Ko- Azizi Bank tion and focus. And there ll be a purchase goods. It is reviewed by leys, our deserts, our mountains. through the Wonderland it s a ban activities in Doha. He, like al- ran. Those guys in Qatar don t 0799 700900 lot of resistance to it. a committee with impeccable cre- And the majority of them that I ve play on Alice. And then she says most everyone else I spoke to, know what it s like to be cold and RM: Let me say, you have, dential for honesty and I person- encountered will tell you some- we are all mad, because to love ugly asked for anonymity because of wet. Pashtany Bank ally review the ultimate contracts thing that moves me to tears. They is the real love. Because to love the sensitivity of the matter. Mullah Abdul, a 30-year-old since taking office you have According to an Afghan diplo- fighter from Kunduz province, is 2102908, 2103868 fired a fair number of people. I with a core group of officials un- say they ve left their hearts in Af- something beautiful is easy. But der my own chairmanship. ghanistan. when windows shatter through a mat in Qatar, the Taliban there similarly disgusted. If they can t mean, just recently, to give an ex- practically have room service: Ev- get anything done at that office in Air Services ample to our listeners, just recent- RM: Although critics have RM: There has been at least bomb, we will repair it next week ery morning a delivery van drives Qatar, they should come back and ly you visited the province of Her- taken to suggesting that maybe one former militant, a Taliban com- because we are Afghans. That s the right up to each one s residence to live here like the rest of us, he Safi Airways at, which borders Iran, which is you re taking too much power to mander in the South who identi- spirit. That s what will keep us fill orders for fresh meat, vegeta- says. yourself. I think I ve heard the fied himself as ISIS. He s gone now, going. bles, fruit and whatever else they Even in the desert heat of 020 22 22 222 prosperous but has a big drug smug- might need. Doha, the Taliban s would-be gling problem, drugs coming in word dictator uttered on this I think, as I understand it. RM: President Ghani, thank AG: Guantanamo 5 Homesick peacemakers must surely find that from Iran and going out from Af- score. Do you have to, as the pres- He s gone. you very much. These emissaries haven t done prospect chilling. Ariana RM: AG: ghanistan. And when you were ident of Afghanistan, actually over- He s gone. But how great, Thank you. much to earn their special treat- (Pajhwok) 020-2100270 Hajj Minister vows to clear Kam Air An animal no more at work 0799974422 shrines of faith healers Hotels Following Farkhunda s tragic death, ban- Safi Landmark ishing heresy and polytheism from shrines across the country has become a formida- 020-2203131 ble task now, says Osmani SERENA Abdul Zuhoor Qayomi 0799654000 KABUL: Following a terrible in- New Rumi Restaurant cident in Kabul where an angry mob lynched a woman for alleged- 0776351347 ly burning a copy of the Holy Qur an, the Minister of Hajj and Internet Services Religious Affairs on Tuesday vowed that shrines will be cleared UA Telecom of faith healers all over the coun- 0796701701 / 0796702702 try. Faiz Mohammad Osmani said Exchange Rate that religious scholars had no role in lynching of Farkkhunda a 27- year-old girl who was lynched by Purchase: a mob near Shah-e-Do Shamshera Shrine in Kabul last week. The One US$ = minister said Islam is against such 57.70Afs killings and no religious scholar was involved in tragic death of Farkhun- One Pound Sterling= da. 84.40Afs The Shah-e-Do Shamshera One Euro = Shrine was cleared of faith healers, and based on our new plan, all He acknowledged that a team 60.37Afs shrines will be cleared of them comprised of religious scholars 1000 Pak Rs = was assigned to evaluate activities countrywide, he vowed. 560Afs He said that assessment of of shrines and clear them from faith shrines was one of his top agendas healers who are the cause of cor- Sale: ahead of the incident, adding that ruption in religion. One US$ = all activities of faith healers will be It comes as members of pro- 57.90Afs under the control of the ministry. vincial council and Kabul Schol- Our aim is to banish heresy and ar s Council prodded the govern- One Pound Sterling= polytheism from shrines. Three ment to clear mosques and shrines 85.20Afs religious scholars were appointed of faith healers as existence of such woman mourns her donkey after discovering it had fallen ill and died in One Euro= at Shah-e-Do Shamshera Shrine to figures was the main reason behind 62.90 Afs take control of activities in the the tragic incident where the girl Aa village. (Reuters) 1000 Pak Rs= 568Afs shrine, he added. was lynched by an angry mob. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. WEDNESDAY . MARCH 25 , 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES India, China agree to foster peace on disputed border No confirmation on Mullah NEW DELHI: India and China Fazlullah's death: Nisar agreed Tuesday to foster peace along their Himalayan border after ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister when he was allegedly 14 years wrapping up two days of talks Chaudhry Nisar Ali said on Tues- old, prompting rights activists and designed to resolve a long-fester- day that the government has no civil society members to call for ing boundary dispute. knowledge of Tehreek-e-Taliban his death sentence to be revoked. In comments issued after the Pakistan (TTP) chief Mullah Faz- Related: Govt has suspended round of talks in the Indian capi- lullah s death. prisoner exchange agreements with tal, the governments of both coun- There is no confirmation on all nations: Nisar tries stressed their common desire the killing of Mullah Fazlullah, Documents concerning to maintain calm and to press he said, while addressing the me- MQM chief handed to UK ahead with further negotiations. dia in Islamabad. Responding to a statement giv- Both sides agreed to take nec- Express News quoted military en by a Muttahida Qaumi Move- essary steps to maintain peace and sources late Saturday night saying ment (MQM) leader, the interior tranquility in the border areas, the TTP chief was killed during minister confirmed that the docu- which is a pre-requisite for con- the army s operation in Khyber ments he handed over to the Brit- tinued growth of bilateral rela- Agency. However, there was no ish High Commissioner in Pakistan tions, the Indian foreign ministry independent or official confirma- were of public record and related said. tion on the report, while the TTP to MQM chief Altaf Hussain s Read: Modi to ramp up help also denied it. speech and threats he made to lo- for Indian Ocean nations to counter Shafqat Hussain case cal law enforcement agencies. China influence Meanwhile, during the press We will decide later whether And the Chinese foreign min- conference, the interior minister we should handover a dossier re- istry said both sides had agreed to said that a team from the Federal garding the MQM chief to the UK make joint efforts to safeguard Investigation Agency (FIA) would government or not, he said. peace and tranquility of the bor- determine Shafqat Hussain s age. After meeting the interior min- der area, which has been the scene This decision comes to light of ister last week, the British high of several recent military standoffs. President Mamnoon Hussain ap- commissioner traveled to London China s special representative proval of a one-month extension to convey the government s con- Yang Jiechi and Indian national se- of Shafqat s death sentence. cerns regarding Altaf s threats. curity adviser Ajit Doval led their This is not a political issue, Saulat Mirza case respective delegations at the talks, but an issue of life, he said. Regarding MQM target killer which were first agreed during Pres- Related: Shafqat Hussain s ex- Saulat Mirza s hanging, Nisar said ident Xi Jinping s visit to India last ecution formally halted for 30 days that the interior ministry, through year. We also understand the issue the prime minister s office, sent a The talks that started Mon- of a how a seven-year-old was summary to the president seeking day were part of a push to make killed in 2004 and his parents lives a 90-day extension of his execu- progress on the border dispute are in danger in Karachi, he add- tion. Saulat Mirza s new execution before Modi s expected visit to ed. date is April 1, 2015. China in May. Regarding the prisoners re- Related: Confession from China defeated India in a brief leased from the UK government, death row: Saulat Mirza says he but bloody war in 1962 but an Nisar said that they had been ar- killed KESC chief on Altaf s order agreement on their border remains rested. It s the president s discretion elusive, with each side regularly Shafqat was convicted of kill- either his execution would be ex- accusing the other of sending sol- ing a seven-year-old boy in 2004, tended or not, he said. diers to encroach on territory. Tensions peaked last Septem- India s top court strikes down ban on ber when hundreds of Chinese troops allegedly moved into the Himalayan territory just as Xi ar- rived in India on a landmark visit, offensive online comment casting a shadow over his talks NEW DELHI: India s top court on down of financial hub Mumbai af- several arrests across the country guidelines on enforcing the law. with Modi. Tuesday struck down a controver- ter the death of a local hardline for political cartoons or comments But in its judgement, the court Read: Indian Ocean to become sial law that made posting offen- politician. made online, sparked outrage and said that the amendment could not India s ocean: report sive comments online a crime The charges were later fierce debate about online censor- be saved by the assurances of the While there was no details on punishable by jail, after a long cam- quashed by a Mumbai court. ship in India. government that it will not be mis- how the negotiators were progress- paign by defenders of free speech. But the case, which followed The government later issued used . ing, the Indian foreign ministry The Supreme Court said the statement said both countries had 2009 amendment to India s Infor- agreed to further expand such mation Technology Act known as contacts as these constitute impor- section 66A was unconstitutional tant confidence-building measures and a restriction on freedom of for maintaining peace and tranquil- speech. ity . Section 66A is unconstitu- Speaking at a briefing in tional and we have no hesitation in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry striking it down, said Justice R F spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Nariman, reading out the judge- that Yang and Doval spoke high- ment. ly of the progress we have The public s right to know is achieved . directly affected by section 66A. They agreed to bear in mind The Supreme Court had been the national interests and the ben- asked to examine the legality of efits of the two peoples, follow section 66A, which makes send- the right path and press ahead with ing information of grossly offen- the framework negotiations, Hua sive or menacing character pun- added. ishable by up to three years in jail. National security adviser Do- In 2012 two young women val last October said India would were arrested under the act over a strive to fix the border problem Facebook post criticising the shut- with China, but without compro- mising on its own national securi- Indian minister Bangladesh NBR summons ty and territory. NEW SRI LANKA GOVT GIVES vents disgust after M. Yunus to collect tax dues Death warrant attending Pakistan military-held land back to Tamils The NBR in a letter sent recently they claimed were Yunus person- re-issued for Day reception asked Yunus to meet with the com- al tax. COLOMBO: Sri Lanka s new were seized by the military were Northern and Eastern provinces missioner of the Taxes Zone-6 on Though he did not reveal the Saulat Mirza government handed back 425 acres not allowed to return to their and releasing prominent Tamil ac- Mar 29. amount, related officials said Yu- of military-held land to minority homes and were left to live in ram- tivists jailed by the previous gov- The zone s Commissioner Md nus had Tk 13,85,25,000 (nearly KARACHI: An anti-terrorism Tamil families in the country s shackle temporary camps. Some ernment. Key Tamil parties sup- court in Karachi re-issued a black north in its latest effort to rekindle have been displaced for 20 years. ported Mr. Sirisena in his campaign warrant against death-row convict ethnic reconciliation. In February, Sri Lanka s cabi- to oust former President Mahinda and target killer Saulat Mirza on President Maithripala Sirise- net approved the release of 1,000 Rajapaksa, who led the military Tuesday. na distributed deeds to hundreds acres previously held by the mili- victory over the Tigers and was Mirza will be executed on April of families whose land was taken tary and pledged to gradually re- criticised for failing to promote mi- 1 at 5:30am in Mach Jail, by the armed forces to create so- duce the number of troops de- nority rights during his decade in Balochistan, a court official told called high security zones around ployed in Tamil-majority areas. power. Mr. Rajapaksa s adminis- The Express Tribune. military installations during a de- The overture was seen as a tration repeatedly came under fire Shortly after representing the In- The Muttahida Qaumi Move- cadeslong civil war with Tamil sep- fresh effort to spur reconciliation from the United Nations, which in dian government at Pakistan Day ment (MQM) activist was sen- aratist insurgents. by the new government, which a 2011 report estimated that reception held at the Pakistan High tenced to death in 1999 on charges The Government is commit- came into power in January pledg- 40,000 civilians died during the last Commission in Delhi Monday of murdering former managing di- ted to building peace, Mr. Sirise- ing to devolve power to Tamil ar- phase of the conflict and said there night, Indian Minister of State for rector of Karachi Electric Supply na said. He said authorities need eas, release political prisoners and were indications war crimes were External Affairs V K Singh tweet- Corporation Shahid Hamid along to eradicate mistrust, fear and investigate allegations of war committed by both sides. ed with the hashtag Disgusted , with his driver Ashraf Brohi and suspicion among communities. crimes. In March 2014, the U.N. Hu- hinting that he might have been guard Akbar Khan in July 1997 in After the conflict ended with Over the past two months it man Rights Council resolved to unhappy at being deputed to it. Karachi. the defeat of the Liberation Tigers has made significant gestures, in- conduct an investigation into the Singh, who was in the party However, his execution was of Tamil Eelam in 2009, thousands cluding removing former military allegations. A preliminary report for just a few minutes, appeared halted just a few hours before his of displaced people whose lands officers serving as governors in the is due in September. uncomfortable while sitting next to hanging after his confessional vid- the Pakistan High Commissioner eo was aired on a private TV chan- to India Abdul Basit. nel. Besides Singh, a former Indian In the video, Mirza alleged that army chief, several several Kash- he received the order for the hit miri separatist leaders including from MQM chief Altaf Hussain Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Syed Ali at MQM leader Babar Ghauri s Shah Geelani and Yaseen Malik residence - a claim rejected by the Meftah Uddin Khan on Monday 140 million) in unpaid taxes. were also present at the event. party. told bdnews24.com: It s nothing Khan said the unpaid tax over In response to a question re- Speculation is rife that Mirza special. He s an honoured taxpay- which Yunus had been called was garding his presence at the recep- would not be executed as the gov- er. He has some dues. not his income tax. It was his gift tion, the minister said The gov- ernment is planning to make him He has moved the court over tax . If an individual gives some- ernment of India had to sent an an approver against Altaf and oth- this. But we want to resolve it one a gift with the money they have MoS. They sent me and I went er MQM leaders following his con- through discussions. after paying tax on their income, there and came back. fessional. That s why he has been in- they need to pay tax on the gift. On a question whether he was A court official, on the condi- vited, he said. One of the officials told asked by the Prime Minister tion of anonymity, confirmed that Yunus shared the Nobel Peace bdnews24.com that the tax was Narendra Modi to attend the event no intimation regarding re-opening Prize with the Grameen Bank, imposed on the money Yunus had at the Pakistan high commission, of Mirza s case or staying his war- which he founded nearly 40 years received as award or honorarium Singh said, The government of rants were received from the au- ago, in 2006. at home or abroad over the years. India asked me to go there. thorities. But he faced much criticism The NBR for the past three Read: Don t think Indian govt both at home and abroad after a years has been urging the Nobel objects to us meeting Hurriyat lead- Norwegian TV documentary laureate to pay the taxes. But he ers: Abdul Basit broadcast in 2010 held him respon- does not want to pay the tax on Earlier in the day the Pakistani sible for misusing donor funds. that money. He has also moved the high commissioner claimed that the It had uncovered documents court after NBR rejected his plea, Indian government does not object revealing nearly $100 million in said the official. to his meetings with Hurriyat lead- donor funds to Grameen Bank Asked about the issue, NBR ers. were transferred out of the bank Chairman Md Nojibur Rahman Down playing his meetings to a private corporation, Grameen said, The tax commissioners have with Hurriyat leaders which have Kalyan, which was also set up by the full authority to resolve any earlier been the cause for India can- Yunus. tax-related problem. celling foreign secretary-level talks, The Bangladesh Bank in They can discuss the matter Basit said, Don t try to make an March 2011 had ordered Yunus with the taxpayers or take admin- issue out of non-issue. removal as the Grameen Bank man- istrative action, he said. Rahman There should be no scope for aging director, saying that his re- added that the Zone-6 commission- misunderstanding or misrepresent- appointment was not approved by er was authorised to request Yu- ing India s position on the role of it and that he had been managing nus to sit with him to resolve com- the so- called Hurriyat. Let me director illegally since 1999. plications regarding his taxes. How- reiterate there are only two par- He went to court to fight the ever, Yunus was not available for ties and there is no place for a third central bank s order, but lost the comment as he was currently party in resolution of India-Paki- legal battle. Two months later, he abroad, said an official of the Yu- stan issues, rebuked Foreign Min- Sri Lanka s new army chief, Chrishantha de Silva, inspects a guard of honor stepped down from the office. nus Centre in Dhaka. The official istry spokesperson Syed Ak- during a ceremony in Colombo in February. Commissioner Meftah Uddin said they would release a state- baruddin. Khan on Monday said the dues ment soon on the issue. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. WEDNESDAY . MARCH 25 , 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES 148 people on board plane that crashed in French Alps: Official PARIS: A German-owned Airbus A320 plane that crashed in the French Alps on Tuesday had 148 people onboard including six crew Israel has spied on US negotiations members, a civil aviation official over Iran's nuclear programme and said. fed the obtained intelligence to Re- The official said there had been publican Congress members in or- a loss of radar of Germanwings der to undermine support for the flight GWI18G, which is thought talks, the Wall Street Journal report- to have been carrying 142 passen- ed. gers, two pilots and four stewards. The Israeli effort was part of a French Prime Minister Man- campaign to help build a case against uel Valls said he understood be- the emerging terms of a deal, the Wall tween 142 and 150 people were Street Journal reported on Monday, on board and feared dead. citing current and former US offi- The cause is at present un- cials without naming them. known, he told reporters. "It is one thing for the US and All 148 people aboard an Air- wings plane that crashed on its lonnette about 100 km (65 miles) Israel to spy on each other. It is an- bus that crashed Tuesday in the way from Barcelona to Duessel- north of the French Riviera city of other thing for Israel to steal US se- French Alps are likely dead, French dorf, Hollande told reporters. Nice. crets and play them back to US leg- President Francois Hollande said. A spokesman for the DGAC Lufthansa's Germanwings unit islators to undermine US diploma- There are not thought to be aviation authority said the airplane said it was as yet unable to verify cy," the newspaper quoted a senior any survivors from the German- crashed near the town of Barce- reports of the crash. official as saying. The report said that the US discovered the informa- tion breach when US intelligence in- Canada to expand anti-ISIL Pyongyang tercepted Israeli cables in which de- dismisses claims tails of the negotiations were dis- operations into Syria cussed. Confronted with the discov- about sinking ery, Israeli officials denied their coun- Canada's prime minister will an- "grave concern," hospitals and try was spying on the nuclear talks, nounce a one-year extension of its schools are being attacked, and in- S-Korean ship saying they received the information military mission against the Islamic ternational aid funding has failed through other sources, the report State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) to keep pace with needs. said. group and expand it to include air The UN is seeking some strikes on targets in Syria, accord- $8.4bn to meet the humanitarian Yemen crisis talks ing to a a senior official. needs of the Syrian conflict in Syrian people feel abandoned as Stephen Harper will announce 2015, after only securing about the extension when he presents a half the funding it asked for in to be held in bill to parliament on Tuesday, the 2014. world focuses on ISIS: UN Doha, says UN official said. ISIL seized vast amounts of The people of Syria feel "increas- which constrain effective aid de- He said U.N. cross-border aid "Continuing to degrade ISIL territory in Syria and Iraq by cap- will require striking its operations italising on the instability caused ingly abandoned by the world" as livery." deliveries of food rations from UN-brokered talks aimed at resolv- global attention focuses on Islam- While aid is reaching several Turkey and Jordan had reached and infrastructure where they are by the respective conflicts in both ing the escalating political crisis in located, including in Syria," says countries. ic State militants, while violence million people, Ban said the situa- more than four times as many peo- Yemen will be held in Doha, the and government bureaucracy tion for some 4.8 million people in ple - some 771,000 - in the three the motion, which was seen by the Momentum has, however, tilt- UN envoy to Yemen has said, af- AP news agency. ed against them since the start of hinder attempts to deliver aid to hard-to-reach areas, especially months to end-February com- ter the internationally recognised 12 million people, U.N. chief Ban 212,000 people in besieged areas, pared with the previous three Although the Canadian mis- US-led air strikes after its rapid Yemeni government appealed to sion does not need parliamentary gains in Iraq last year. Ki-moon said. was of "grave concern," hospitals months. the Gulf Cooperation Council In his 13th monthly report to and schools are being attacked, and However, access to medical approval, the government is sub- The focus on ISIL has allowed (GCC) for military assistance. mitting it to a vote to show con- other groups, such as the Nusra the United Nations Security Coun- international aid funding has failed supplies and equipment "contin- A day after warning the UN cil on Syria, Ban said a lack of ac- to keep pace with needs. ued to be restricted by insecurity sensus. Front, to expand their territory Security Council that Yemen was Canadian air strikes have so far and numbers, according to some countability during the four-year The United Nations is seeking and constraints imposed on hu- on the brink of civil war, Jamal civil war has also led to a rise in some $8.4 billion to meet the hu- manitarian operations by parties been limited to Iraq where the coun- analysts. Benomar announced on Monday try has sent 69 special forces sol- The group, once allied with allegations of war crimes, crimes manitarian needs of the Syrian con- to the conflict." Ban said many that talks between the Yemeni par- against humanity and other human flict in 2015, after only securing delivery requests were going un- diers to train Kurdish peshmerga ISIL, split after an attempt to forc- North Korea has once again denied ties would take place in the Qatari soldiers. ibly merge the groups by ISIL's rights abuses. about half the funding it asked for answered by the government and capital, and that any agreement any involvement in the fatal sink- "While global attention is fo- in 2014. Ban said a pledging con- surgical supplies were also being The Canadians' efforts com- leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. ing of a South Korean ship in 2010. reached would be signed in Riy- plement those of the US, which The Nusra Front has since cused on the threat to regional and ference in Kuwait on March 31 removed from convoys by securi- adh. North Korea's top military international peace and security would be crucial. ty forces. has conducted the vast majority worked with other factions against body, the National Defense Com- Earlier in the day, Prince Saud of the air strikes against ISIL. Baghdadi's fighters, but has also which terrorist groups such as ISIL Al Faisal, Saudi Arabia's foreign mission (NDC), also slammed (Islamic State) and (al Qaeda's) Canada will be the first NATO been involved in wrestling territo- South Korea for insisting on its minister, said that his country country, other than the US, to con- ry from other rebel factions, in- Nusra Front pose, our focus must would "take necessary measures allegation, which Pyongyang said, continue to be on how best to help duct air strikes in Syria. Bahrain, cluding ones backed by the US, was meant to implicate the North if needed" to protect Yemen's sov- Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the UAE such as Harakat Hazm. and support the Syrian people," ereignty after the country's gov- for the incident, which left 46 Ban said in the report, seen by have also carried out air strikes in The group now controls terri- South Korean seamen dead. ernment, holed up in the southern Syria. tory in Idlib, Hama and the Golan Reuters. port city of Aden, appealed to the In a statement, the NDC de- Ban said more than 220,000 Syrians 'abandoned' Heights, bordering territory cur- scribed as a fictitious story" GCC members for help. The move by Canada comes rently occupied by Israel. people have been killed since se- Iran has been repeatedly ac- Seoul's claim of North Korea s in- curity forces cracked down on a amid a warning by Ban Ki-moon, Public lashings volvement in the sinking of the cused of supporting the Houthis, UN secretary-general, that Syrians An opposition activist in Kaf- pro-democracy movement in 2011, the armed group that controls the South Korean naval corvette Cheo- sparking an armed uprising. Some feel "increasingly abandoned" by ranbel, a town in Idlib, said the nan. country's north, including the cap- the international community as glo- Nusra Front has established an four million Syrians have fled the ital Sanaa, an allegation both Iran The statement comes ahead of country and 7.6 million are inter- bal attention focuses on fighting elaborate network of social servic- the fifth anniversary of the Cheo- and the Yemeni group deny. ISIL. es and Islamic law courts and rules nally displaced. "We are against Iran's interven- nan sinking on March 26, 2010. Extremist Islamist groups have tion in Yemen ... it is actually an The incident near the disput- exploited the chaos and complicat- act of aggression," Faisal said. ed Yellow Sea maritime border be- ed diplomatic efforts to end the "We are keen on protecting tween North and South Korea, conflict with Islamic State, declar- Yemen s sovereignty, the legitima- entailed retaliatory measures in- ing a caliphate in the swaths of ter- cy of Yemen represented by Pres- cluding a trade embargo imposed ritory it has seized in Syria and ident Hadi. by the South on Pyongyang, and Iraq. A U.S.-led alliance has been "We hope that the crisis can triggered a dangerous surge in targeting Islamic State with air be resolved peacefully and we are cross-border tensions. strikes in Iraq and Syria for some ready to respond to any demand In November 2010, the six months. that the president requests, what- North s retaliatory shelling of a Ban said delivery of aid was ever it is to support him," he said. South Korean border island also becoming more challenging due to Riyadh Yaseen, Yemen's new- killed four people including two "violence and insecurity, shifting ly appointed foreign minister, has civilians, sparking fears of a full- conflict lines, deliberate interfer- asked for military intervention fledged war in the region. ence by parties to the conflict ... from the GCC and the imposition South Korea has ever since and administrative procedures of a no-fly zone by the UN. maintained that its ship was tor- pedoed by a North Korean sub- marine. Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan sign accord on Nile dam Seoul says it will only consid- er lifting its embargoes on Pyongy- Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan have Sudan's President Omar al- using the waters". rent construction and building" of Ban said a lack of accountabil- uncontested. ang when the North claims respon- agreed on a preliminary deal on a Bashir hailed the deal as "histor- They also agreed to establish the dam in Ethiopia. Ethiopia be- ity during the four-year civil war ISIL's rise renews debate on sibility for the attack and apolo- controversial dam project that ic". "a mechanism for solving disputes gan diverting the Blue Nile in May has also led to a rise in allegations US role gizes for the killings. Cairo feared would reduce its share The agreement is made up of as they occur", Maghazi said. 2013 to build the 6,000 MW dam, of war crimes, crimes against hu- Remaining rebel groups in the This is while some influential of vital waters from the Nile river. 10 principles, Egypt's Water Re- He gave no details as to when which will be Africa's largest when manity and other abuses. province operate only with Nus- South Korean business people and The leaders of Egypt, Ethio- sources Minister Hussam al-Mag- the final agreement would be completed in 2017. "While global attention is fo- ra's approval, he said.At the same politicians have demanded that the pia and Sudan all gathered in Khar- hazi told the AFP news agency. signed. Sudan's deputy water re- Ethiopian officials have said cused on the threat to regional and time, the Nusra Front has become embargoes be lifted and trade re- toum on Monday to sign the agree- The countries agreed on the sources minister, Saif al-Din the project to construct the 1,780- international peace and security increasingly aggressive towards sume with the North. ment of principles on Ethiopia's "fair use of waters and not to dam- Hamed, said the signing of the metre-long and 145-metre high dam which terrorist groups such as ISIL local populations. The two Koreas are still tech- Grand Renaissance Dam project. age the interests of other states by agreement "will not stop the cur- will cost more than $4bn. and the Nusra Front pose, our fo- In January, members of the nically at war after the 1950-53 "I confirm the construction of cus must continue to be on how group reportedly shot a woman Korean War ended in an armistice, the Renaissance Dam will not best to help and support the Syr- dead in front of a crowd in Idlib and not an official peace treaty. cause any damage to our three ian people," Ban said in his month- after they accused her of being a Since then, Seoul and Wash- states and especially to the Egyp- ly report, which was seen by the prostitute. The group also has car- ington have been launching regular tian people," Ethiopian Prime Reuters news agency. ried out public lashings, crucifix- annual military exercises, which Minister Hailemariam Desalegn Ban added that more than ions and kidnappings - though it Pyongyang regards as provocative. said at the signing ceremony. 220,000 people have been killed has not publicised the atrocities In response to these drills, the We have chosen cooperation, since security forces cracked down like ISIL. Activists in southern North Korean leaders, Kim Jong- and to trust one another for the on a pro-democracy movement in Syria say the Nusra Front was un and his predecessors, have sake of development. 2011. Some four million Syrians behind the January bombing that called on the people and the coun- Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Egypt\'s have fled the country and 7.6 mil- destroyed the shrine of a 13th cen- try's military forces to further President lion are internally displaced. tury Muslim scholar. strengthen themselves and main- Egypt, heavily reliant on the Ban said the situation for Nusra issued a statement de- tain preparedness and agility in Nile for agriculture and drinking about 4.8 million people in hard- nying it was involved but activists case of possible military confron- water, feared that the dam would to-reach areas, especially 212,000 say its members were seen placing tation with the US and its regional decrease its water supply. people in besieged areas, was of the bombs. allies. Egypt's President Abdel Fat- tah el-Sisi said that "this is a frame- work agreement and it will be com- I won t serve a third term as Prime pleted". "We have chosen cooperation, and to trust one another for the Minister: David Cameron sake of development." British Prime Minister David A Cameron ally said on televi- Sisi said the final accord will Cameron said he wouldn t serve a sion on Monday night that former "achieve benefits and development third term as prime minister if his prime ministers Margaret Thatch- for Ethiopia without harming Conservative Party remained in er and Tony Blair, who were elect- Egypt and Sudan's interests". power after the election, putting a ed three times and struggled in their time limit on his future as prime final years in office, stayed in minister and opening discussions power too long. China executes three men convicted in mass stabbing at train station about a potential successor. Mr. Cameron, who became The third term is not some- party leader in 2005 and prime China executed three accused sep- homicide and leading a terrorist mediate People s Court said. A tence, the official Xinhua news contenders for the job, a contest aratists on Tuesday for their role organisation, the Kunming Inter- higher court later upheld the sen- agency reported. thing I m contemplating, Mr. minister in 2010, is campaigning Cameron said in an interview with to serve a second term. His com- that could start as soon as this year in an attack that killed 31 people Police shot four other assail- if the Conservatives don t win the at a train station in the southwest the British Broadcasting Co. that ments come ahead of what is like- ants dead during the knife attack, aired Monday. ly to be a tight race between his election. last year, a court said. which injured 141 people on March A Conservative Party official The government has said the He said if he won the general Conservative Party and the oppo- 1, 2014. election in May and served anoth- sition Labour Party. Recent polls said Mr. Cameron was simply attack, in the city of Kunming, was Xinjiang, home to the Muslim pointing out the wealth of talent carried out by knife-wielding sep- er five years, it would be time for show the two parties are neck and Uighur minority group, has been new leadership in 2020. neck and that neither is likely to within the party rather than nam- aratists from the far western re- plagued by unrest in recent years. ing an exclusive list of potential gion of Xinjiang, which is located London s Economic Strength win a majority. Some Uighurs have chafed under Masks Growth Problems Else- In the interview, Mr. Cameron contenders. The official added that on the borders of Central Asia. Chinese restrictions on their cul- Mr. Cameron was focused on win- The three men who were exe- where in U.K. (March 13) said Home Secretary Theresa May, ture and religion. Labour s Miliband Struggles Treasury chief George Osborne ning a majority Conservative gov- cuted, Iskandar Ehet, Turgun Dilxat Raxit, a spokesman for ernment in the coming election. Tohtunyaz and Hasayn Muham- for Traction as U.K. Election and London Mayor Boris Johnson the exiled World Uyghur Congress, Nears (March 3) were potential successors. As for the general election mad, were sentenced to death in after that, he will cross that bridge September after being convicted of said the defendants were denied a U.K. Populist Parties Saw This has teed up speculation Donations Rise in 2014 (Feb. 19) and discussion about potential when he comes to it, the official fair trial. said. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. WEDNESDAY .MARCH 25 , 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES

We a r e a n a t ion a l in st it u t ion a n d n ot t h e voice of a gov t or a p r iva t e or ga n iza t ion AFGHANISTAN TIMES Editor: Abdul Saboor Sarir Phone No: +93-772364666 E-mail: [email protected] the withdrawal date. Is Obama s violence. But neither or these wel- government has already negotiat- withdrawal plan a wise policy? come potential developments ed a strategic partnership agree- Short answer: Of course not. One change the central issue, which is ment with the United States last- Email: [email protected] only has to look at the debacle the Obama administration s with- ing until 2024 that would provide that has unfolded in Iraq after the drawal date of December 2016 for the framework for a longer term www.afghanistantimes.af withdrawal of U.S. troops at the all U.S. forces. U.S. military presence. Consider end of 2011 to have a sneak pre- Merely because the Obama also that many Afghans see a rel- Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi view of what could take place in administration will be almost out atively small, but long-term inter- an Afghanistan without some kind the door at the end of 2016 national troop presence as a guar- Advisory editorial board of residual American presence. doesn t mean that suddenly at the antor of their stability. Without American forces in the same time that the Taliban will lay It is also not in Pakistan s in- Saduddin Shpoon, Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, country, there is a strong possi- down their arms, nor that the Af- terests for Afghanistan to fall to bility Afghanistan could host a ghan army will be able to fight the the Taliban or be thrust into an- Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal reinvigorated Taliban allied to a Taliban completely unaided. Nor other civil war. The Pakistanis reinvigorated al Qaeda, not to does it mean that al Qaeda and have seen for themselves repeat- Graphic-Designers: mention ISIS, which is gaining a ISIS, which is beginning to estab- edly the folly of allowing the Tal- By Peter Bergen foothold in the region. lish small cells in Afghanistan iban to flourish on their own soil, Mansoor Faizy and Edriss Akbari Needless to say, this would would cease to be a threat. most recently in the Taliban at- Marketing & Advertising: The first state visit to the United be a disaster for Afghanistan. But An easy way for potential tack in December on the army States of Afghan President Ashraf it would also be quite damaging to Democratic presidential candi- school in Peshawar that killed 132 Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0708954626, 0778894038 Ghani and Chief Executive Offic- U.S. interests to have some kind dates such as Hillary Clinton to children. er Abdullah Abdullah was sup- of resurgent al Qaeda in the coun- distinguish their national security It is in Pakistan s own inter- Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan posed to take place in early try where the group trained the policies from Obama s would be est that the Afghan army is able Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 March. But the visit was delayed hijackers for the 9/11 attacks. to say that they are in favor of to fight effectively against the because Republican leaders had It would also be disastrous for some kind of long-term U.S. mili- Taliban, which is more likely if Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press invited Israeli Prime Minister Ben- the Democratic Party, should it tary presence in Afghanistan and they continue to have American jamin Netanyahu to address Con- win the presidency in 2016, to be to argue that it would be needed advisers at their side. gress during the same time peri- the party that lost Afghanistan. to avoid an Iraq-style outcome. Other regional powers such as od. After all, the Democratic Par- Similarly, as the Republican the Chinese worry about Chinese The constitution says According to two Afghan ty is viewed by some as weaker Party starts ramping up for the Uighur separatists establishing government officials involved in on national security than the Re- 2016 campaign, potential candi- themselves on Afghan soil. The Article 102: the planning for the visit, the Af- publicans and it is inevitable that dates such as Jeb Bush can distin- Russians are similarly worried If a member of the National Assembly is accused of a crime, the responsible official shall inform ghan government believed Ameri- without some kind of residual guish themselves from the isola- about Islamist terrorist groups the House of which the accused is a member, and the accused shall be legally prosecuted. In case can media attention would be American presence in Afghanistan, tionist Rand Paul wing of the par- located in Afghanistan and so will largely focused on Netanyahu, so al Qaeda would gain sufficient ty by saying that they are com- not stand in the way of a small of an evident crime, the responsible official shall legally pursue and arrest the accused without the first U.S. visit of the new Af- strength to launch an attack from mitted to a long-term presence in long-term U.S. military presence the permission of the House of which the accused is a member. ghan president was delayed by the Afghan-Pakistan border region Afghanistan. in Afghanistan as that would dove- Continued two weeks, which is a useful re- against American interests some- This U.S. military presence in tail with their own security con- minder that there is a sound rea- where in the world. Afghanistan doesn t have to be a cerns about the country. son why congressional leaders There are some welcome in- large, nor does it need to play a Keeping a relatively small, shouldn t unilaterally extend in- dications that the Obama admin- combat role, but U.S. troops predominantly U.S. Special Forc- Editorial vitations to foreign leaders. istration is already rethinking at should remain in Afghanistan to es, presence in Afghanistan to con- Ghani and Abdullah arrived in least some aspects of its draw- advise the Afghan army and pro- tinue to train the Afghan army past Washington on Sunday and have down plan. Reuters reported on vide intelligence support. December 2016 is a wise policy had much to discuss with the Thursday that key U.S. bases in Such a long-term commitment that would benefit both Afghans Obama administration. For the Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan of several thousand American and Americans. Fiddling while Rome burns Afghan government, the timeta- and Kandahar in the south of the troops is exactly the kind of force Both the Democratic and Re- ble of President Barack Obama s country may not be shut down at that the Obama administration publican parties should adopt proposed troop withdrawal is the the end of 2015 as was previous- was forced to deploy to Iraq fol- such a plan in their platforms as It s not a good start at all. But chances and the trend of the time key issue. Obama says that the ly planned. lowing ISIS s lightning advances they gear up for the 2016 cam- last American troops will leave Af- These bases play an impor- there over the past year. paign. And Obama should do his stand in favor of the government. If you get to the rule of law, ghanistan at the end of 2016. This tant role in the campaign against Selling a longer-term U.S. mil- successor a favor by leaving this human rights improvement, and an immediate end to the endemic happens to roughly coincide with al Qaeda and allied groups, which itary presence in Afghanistan important decision up to the next the end of his second term in of- are largely based along eastern Af- would be pushing against an open President. (Courtesy: CNN) corruption, perhaps you have gone too far. Touching on political fice and also fulfills his campaign ghanistan s border with Pakistan door with that nation s govern- (Peter Bergen is CNN s na- and economic issues require long term remedies and efforts. And promise to wind down America s and against the Afghan Taliban, ment. Consider that within 24 tional security analyst, a vice pres- post-9/11 wars. Ghani is clearly which is concentrated in southern hours of being installed, the new ident at New America and profes- the government has a good excuse coming into the power corri- uncomfortable with the pace of Afghanistan. Afghan government led by Ghani sor of practice at Arizona State dor much recently. Another good excuse is the start was much this U.S. troop withdrawal, tell- And on Friday the New York and Abdullah signed the basing University. He has made frequent ing CBS 60 Minutes in Janu- Times reported that the Obama agreement that allows American reporting trips to Afghanistan for chaotic. The government doesn t need to be unnerved. What it ary, deadlines should not be dog- administration is rethinking the troops to stay in Afghanistan un- CNN since 1993. This story draws needs is go into overdrive. What it must do is to start by doing mas and that there should be a overall pace of its planned with- til December 2016. on a piece that appeared in Janu- what s necessary. And look at what is possible. At the end of the willingness to reexamine drawal because of rising Taliban Consider also that the Afghan ary.) day it will pick the courage to do with is the most difficult. But it clear weapons, the US has negoti- did perhaps the opposite. The new government at its very outset ated agreements with an entire spec- touched upon some biggest challenges. Which unfortunately were A time bomb on I ran trum of adversaries and has never used force in response to violations. not taken to their logical conclusions. As long as President Ashraf By Michael Hayden, Olli Heinonen and Ray Takeyh which would also be time-consum- And the reality is that any cheating Ghani and CEO Abdullah are in power corridor, it s never too late ing. Once the IAEA arrived at a ver- by Iran would always be incremen- As negotiations between Iran and occurred. Only after this methodi- dict of noncompliance, it would tal and never egregious. Through- to do reforms and wage stern war on corruption, improve good P5+1 (US, Britain, France, Rus- cal review was finished could the forward its grievances to the Unit- out the duration of an agreement, ed Nations Security Council for ad- there would be occasional reports governance and equitable distribution of wealth. If it lacks the ca- sia, China plus Germany) press director go to the White House with of Iran enriching to unacceptably forward, US Secretary of State conclusions and recommendations. judication. The US would have to pacities, it will try to bank upon rhetoric and fabricating excuses. convince the other member states high levels and revelations of unre- John Kerry seems to have settled Given that the International Atom- ported nuclear installations and ex- But it must know that governance is about not where you start, in on this defence of any agreement: ic Energy Agency (IAEA) would be invested in the agreement includ- perimentation in weapon designs. which circumstances you take it from another, but it is where you The terms will leave Iran at least a the on-site inspection organisation ing veto-wielding Russia and Chi- Iran s habit of lulling the world with year away from obtaining a nu- responsible for the verification of na that the accord was being vi- a cascade of small infractions is an start. And it is where you are going. As long as political leaders clear bomb, thus giving the world an agreement, America s scoop olated and that forceful action was ingenious way to advance its pro- blame others for the mess and chaos, such leaders are failures, plenty of time to react to infrac- would have to be forwarded to that needed. Time would be spent quar- gramme without provoking a crisis. tions. The argument is meant to body. Of course, both the speed and relling over divergent views, with In the end, a year simply may not always. Then it looks quite futile to expect good from them. They reassure, particularly when a size- the extent of US sharing would be several outcomes possible, includ- be enough time to build an interna- don t need to bide their time waiting for the situation to heal on its able enrichment capacity and a affected by the need to protect sen- ing a Security Council presidential tional consensus on measures to sunset clause appear to have al- sitive human or technical sources of statement or a resolution whose redress Iranian violations. In the own. ready been conceded. A careful information. Only then would IAEA content would need to be agreed midst of all the typical Washington Now President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah are on the assessment, however, reveals that representatives begin talking with upon. And only then could new political cacophony about the a one-year breakout time may not their Iranian counterparts about economic sanctions be imposed on progress of the negotiations, what driving seat. They cannot blame circumstances as those equipped be sufficient to detect and reverse gaining access to disputed sites or Iran. So, add at least a few more is lost is that an accord between the with visions and leadership qualities drive nations out of challeng- Iranian violations. Once the US activities. History suggests the Ira- months. Economic pressure Could US and Iran would be the most con- had an indication that Iran was vi- nians would engage in protracted sanctions really make a meaningful sequential arms-control agreement es. Following the tragic tale of Fakhunda s lynching when an angry olating an agreement, a bureaucrat- negotiations and much arcane ques- impact on Iran in whatever time, if of the post-Cold War period. It mob beat her to death and then set her dead body on fire therefore ic process would be necessary to tioning of the evidence. Iran could any, remained in a one-year scenar- would determine the level of stabil- validate the information. It could eventually offer some access while io? Any sanctions would take time ity in the Middle East and impact human rights should top Afghanistan summit agenda. Those who be months before the director of holding back key data and person- to stress Iran s economy, particu- global nuclear nonproliferation are supposed to defend citizens from being tortured and killed national intelligence would be con- nel. It would be only after tortured larly in the aftermath of an agree- norms. With stakes so high, we need fident enough to present a case discussions that the IAEA could ment that paved the way for the a national debate about the nature were holding their mobile sets out to film the entire harrowing epi- for action to the president. Sever- proclaim itself dissatisfied with return of trade and investment. Of and parameters of any agreement. sode of lynching. What they did during the entire period of torture, al US intelligence agencies, the Iran s reaction. This process also course, the US would not have to The right venue for that debate is Energy Department and national could take months. Should the in- wait for the economic pressure to the halls of Congress. No agreement stoning, beating, and setting her dead body on fire exposed seri- nuclear laboratories would need a dication of infractions originate with work and could use force against can be considered viable or endur- ous problems in the training of policemen. chance to sniff the data to be con- the IAEA, the US would, likewise, Iran without UN endorsement. ing without such legislative appro- The government must devise strategies how to fight the mindset vinced that a technical breach had want to validate the findings itself, However, since the advent of nu- bation. that is deadliest, intolerant and prevalent in the society. For over 13 years, Kabul has been striving to achieve security, but sorrow- fully at the cost of human rights. Violence has found roots in our society. But why? Because the ground is quite fertile for it. We will have to kill this fertility. This land has become a land of fear where you are always haunted by sense of fear. This sense of fear means you are going to be killed at any moment of your life. And that s too for no reason and no crime. Is it the Afghanistan we want? And is it the Afghanistan that can give a safe, secure and peaceful future to our children and generations to come. The problem is govern- ment officials are living in barricaded castles. Powerful strongmen are being guarded by their legions of security guards, and com- moners are prone to injustices, political and economic exploita- tions, and lynching like Farkhunda who was ruthlessly killed un- der the very nose of the government in this capital city. Indeed, our political elite and those supposed to be guarding the citizens, fid- dled while Rome was burning. 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WEDNESDAY .MARCH 25, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES Yemen over the edge The security dilemma in East Asia No matter who wins in the end - Hadi, Saleh or the Houthis - AQAP will still be in Yemen. By Aaron Jed Rabena name of enhancing defensive and the Philippines at stake in the region. First is its readiness and is not aimed at any For the Philippines, which is credibility of defending an ally By Martin Reardon terms of capability and intent to ISIL's absolute hatred of the Shia, he current security environ one country. a small state and sorely lacking in under armed attack or under threat carry out transnational attacks, the mosque attacks may very well ment in East Asia has be Currently, in East Asia, it can hard power, it feels that it must of armed attack. President Obama Up until a week ago, there was a appears to have much freer reign have ignited a sectarian conflict the Tcome more insecure and un- be observed that every state s respond to external threats by had, on many occasions, repeat- slim margin of hope that Yemen to operate in Yemen. By late last likes of which have not previous- predictable due to the tensions arms build-up is based on what aligning with bigger powers like edly touted the US as a Pacific might somehow avoid civil war, week, events took a turn for the ly been seen in Yemen. Think Syr- stemming from the so-called po- they say is a response to certain the US, Japan, and Australia to power, which is why the rebal- and that there was a political solu- worse, and as happens all too of- ia and Iraq. tential flashpoints in the East and threats in the region. Moreover, it fill in for its inadequacy. As a small ancing to Asia policy must be tion to the ongoing power struggle ten during tense standoffs where The Houthis have since called South China seas. War of words, is not unknown that some states state, it also sees no incentive in followed through by consistent between President Abd-Rabbou neither side is willing to talk to the for a general mobilisation of forces diplomatic protests, mass pro- view with suspicion China s in- waging a war against China, be- gestures that would reassure its Mansour Hadi, its democratically other, the unintended consequenc- to fight the Hadi government. tests, military posturing, and in- creasing military budget and its cause doing so would be outright allies in the region and dispel fears elected leader, and the Houthi es of seemingly isolated actions led Backed by armoured forces loyal creased defense spending have all intentions for the future, especial- suicide and devoid of any strate- that America is backing down. rebels. It certainly wasn't from a to a violent escalation of events to Saleh, they took control of Taiz, been the common trends in recent ly when it launched its first air- gic merit. Second, is the US image and lack of trying, with Hadi himself, that have put Yemen over the edge. Yemen's third largest city, on Sun- years. There have even been inci- craft carrier the Liaoning in 2012. And so with the ratification role as a leader and guarantor of the United Nations and the Gulf Or maybe they weren't unintend- day, and are now only 140 kilome- dents of the scrambling of fighter In the same vein, China also views of the Enhance Defense Coopera- public goods in the region. The States all pushing hard to get the ed after all. Last Thursday, mili- tres from Aden as they close in on jets between China and Japan, the with suspicion the US and its tion Agreement (EDCA), of where US is doing this by helping its al- Houthis to the negotiating table. tary forces loyal to Saleh attempt- Hadi. With neither side willing to ramming of maritime vessels in- other allies real intentions towards more American troops would be lies beef up their security in order The Houthis, members of the ed to take over Aden's internation- talk, civil war is inevitable. The big volving Vietnam and China, and it. China s point of view accommodated and where Philip- to share more responsibility in the Zaidi branch of Shia Islam, shocked al airport, only to be repulsed by questions now are: How and when the Philippines cat and mouse- Ever since the US announced pine military bases would be de- alliance and assume a greater role the world last September when forces loyal to Hadi. More than a does it end? And who stands to like game with Chinese Coast its Pivot to Asia, many in China veloped, the Philippines believes in the region. The US believes that, they seized the capital city of San- dozen soldiers from both sides benefit most? Guard vessels. On this backdrop, have believed that this is a confir- that, it, together with the mini- because of China s behavior, it is aa and brought the Hadi govern- were killed in the fighting. That was AQAP appears to be in posi- China has accused the Philippines mation of the US long-held agen- mum credible defense posture, threatening the freedom of navi- ment to its knees. They forced the quickly followed up by airstrikes tion to gain the most from the tur- of being a troublemaker, while da of containing the rise and influ- would strengthen the country s gation and overflight and thus gives prime minister to resign, and then targeting Hadi's palace in Aden, moil in Yemen, and has wasted no the latter, together with Vietnam, ence of a rival power, with the deterrence capability. it more reason to not only come refused to accept Hadi's first choice presumably in fighter aircraft flown time in exploiting it. While the the United States (US) and Japan use of its allies as offshore bal- The same is true for Vietnam, to the aid of its allies, but also to replace him. Things didn't get by Saleh loyalists. Hadi was not Houthis and Saleh loyalists battle have accused the former of being ancers. What further worried the which is why it seeks to develop justify that its own strategic in- much better after that. Yemen urg- at the palace at the time, and the it out with Hadi's forces in the a bully or aggressive in the Chinese was when then US De- closer mil-to-mil relations and terests needed to be safeguarded es GCC military intervention airstrikes did little if any damage. south, AQAP has gone on the of- neighborhood. Certainly, one can- fense Secretary Leon Panetta an- maritime cooperation with the as well. For the US, knowing that against Houthis Following months But the initial shots by both sides fensive against both. Better to fight not help but think that at the heart nounced that the US, by 2020, US, Japan, Russia, and India. For China has an A2AD strategy, it, of stalemate and government grid- had been fired, battle lines drawn an enemy divided than an enemy of the matter are the territorial dis- would deploy 60 percent of its these two small states, their pri- for its part, has devised an Air- lock, the Houthis placed Hadi, and the chances for a political so- united. Last week, AQAP also at- putes. military assets to Asia. mary interest is to look for bal- Sea Battle (ASB) doctrine, which along with other key members of lution greatly diminished. But last tacked and took brief control of Security dilemma All of this, makes the Chinese ancers or security providers, not aims to defeat adversaries his cabinet, under house arrest in Friday's horrific twin suicide bomb- the town of Al-Houta, only 30 ki- According to John Herz, Se- believe that any activity sanc- necessarily containers. This is equipped with A2AD capabilities January. Hadi offered his resigna- ings during noon prayers at the al- lometres from Al-Anad Air Base, curity Dilemma is a structural tioned by the US is something also why the two have eyed clos- that could threaten America s free- tion in protest, which Parliament Hashoosh and Badr Mosques in where US special operations forc- notion in which the self-help at- that is provocative and is biased er maritime and naval cooperation dom of action in the region. In oth- was wise to reject. Last month, Sanaa, used mainly by the Houthis, es were training Yemeni countert- tempts of states to look after their on the issue of the territorial dis- out of a common geostrategic er words, for the US and some Hadi made his escape and fled to may have ended whatever chance errorism units to fight them. The security needs tend, regardless of putes. Based on this and on Chi- interest. What further affects the state actors in the region, the Chi- Aden, where he has since reclaimed there was for a peaceful resolution. attack on Al-Houta, along with the intention, to lead to rising insecu- na s experience of the US inter- judgments of these small states is na factor has become a common his presidency in what is now his Of note, just as quickly as the rapidly deteriorating security sit- rity for others as each interprets vention in East Asia especially that when compared with China, issue or a strategic point of con- de facto capital. Working behind Islamic State of Iraq and the Le- uation in Yemen, led the United its own measures as defensive and during the 1995-96 Taiwan Strait there is huge asymmetry in terms vergence. the scenes during the Hadi-Houthi vant (ISIL) claimed responsibility States to pull those forces out of measures of others as potentially Crisis, China realized that it had of military capabilities, which What possible remedial ac- standoff was Ali Abdullah Saleh, for the bombings through a Yemen the country on Sunday. threatening. In short: the perpet- to develop an Anti-Access Area make them feel insecure and in- tion? There are three ways to Yemen's former president, who affiliate, which if true, marks their For now, AQAP, considered uation of a vicious cycle of inse- Denial (A2AD) strategy and forge timidated. From an outsider s keep the peace. First is by abso- was forced to step down in 2012 first such attacks in the country, by many counterterrorism experts curity. The important question to closer strategic cooperation with point of view, there is also an un- lute peace, where two nations following months of violent pro- al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, to be the most dangerous terrorist be answered then is: Why is there Russia in order to have a more derdog mentality that if a big guy really don t spend on arms build- tests that swept the country in the also known as AQAP, distanced organisation in the world in terms a dilemma if all states say they credible deterrence capability and acts or moves against a smaller up either because of the complete wake of the Arab Spring. Saleh, themselves from it with a vehe- of capability and intent to carry are merely doing so for defen- prevent further interference in one, it would be a default response absence of or a very minimal level himself a Zaidi Shia Muslim, ment denial through social media. out transnational attacks, appears sive and not offensive purpos- what it sees as its core interests. to side or sympathize with the of distrust. Second is through de- fought a series of wars against the AQAP tactics to have much freer reign to oper- es? Two reasons: disputes and As with Japan, China sees smaller one. terrence, where either state can t Houthis when he was president, However, the way in which ate in Yemen. That doesn't bode tensions. The disputes exists be- Japan as a country whose active Japan s stance As for Japan, inflict harm on the other for fear but is now squarely on their side - the attacks were carried out - four well for Yemen, the Gulf region or cause of the competing claims of pacifism as stated by Japanese Japan has explicitly identified of a mutually assured destruction or at least determined to use them suicide bombers hitting the two the West, because no matter who sovereign states in the region. And Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is ac- China as a real threat. Prime Min- (MAD) scenario or fear of the - as he makes his political come- mosques in near simultaneous fash- wins in the end - Hadi, Saleh or the since every nation claims that the tually historical revisionism. ister Abe, knowing that other formidable retaliatory capability back. Earlier this month, in fact, ion - suggests a significant degree Houthis - AQAP will still be there. area being contested by others is China, and also South Korea, be- countries face similar threats from of the other. Everyone claims that he called for Hadi to resign and go of target selection, pre-attack plan- But they'll be bigger, stronger and rightfully theirs, they make the lieve that Japan continues to be China, had announced Japan s they uphold peace, stability and into exile. That would convenient- ning and detailed coordination that better. And in all likelihood, so will necessary steps to secure and unrepentant of its war crimes dur- willingness to assume a leading order in the region and that war or ly open the door for either Saleh's are associated more with the tac- ISIL. Not much of a choice. defend it, because doing otherwise ing World War II and has even ex- balancing role in East Asia s secu- armed conflict is in nobody s in- return, or more likely the rise to tics of AQAP than ISIL. Martin Reardon is a senior vice would mean that one is weak, un- acerbated this by its political lead- rity architecture. This is why he terests. Clearly then, the problem power of his son, Ahmad Ali Ab- And that brings up the very president with The Soufan Group, patriotic, and does not know how ers frequent visits to the Yasuku- has called for the revision of Arti- arises due to trust deficit. And this dullah, former head of the elite Re- real and sobering prospect that a New York-based strategic secu- to safeguard one s territorial in- ni Shrine, where 14 Japanese cle 9 of the Japanese Constitu- trust deficit stems from the exist- publican Guard, which Hadi dis- some hardline factions within rity and intelligence consultancy, tegrity. These necessary steps Class-A war criminals are en- tion, in order to entitle Japan to a ing mindsets, hypes, and misper- banded when he became president. AQAP may have switched alle- and senior director of Qatar Inter- range from increased arms spend- shrined. right of collective defense, which ceptions. Even then, these issues Agenda? For now, AQAP, consid- giance to ISIL, a trend that is be- national Academy for Security ing to enhancing military align- Due to these and Japan s na- would allow it to defend any ally could be more understood by try- ered by many counterterrorism ex- comingly increasingly more com- Studies. He is a 21-year veteran of ments to strengthening one s foot- tionalization of the disputed Di- under armed attack by a third par- ing to put oneself at each other s perts to be the most dangerous ter- mon with longtime al-Qaeda affil- the FBI, and specialised in coun- hold on the already occupied ar- aoyu/Senkaku islands in Septem- ty. More specifically, Prime Min- shoes and by exercising mutual rorist organisation in the world in iates. If that's the case, and given terterrorism operations. eas. Seeing that other nations are ber 2013, the Chinese were made ister Abe also called for an in- restraint and mutual respect. In doing something to strengthen or to believe that Japan is being led crease in Japan s Self-Defense foreign policy analysis, it is said defend their claim, others in turn by ultra-right nationalists who Force s (JSDF) budget and a re- that, Where you stand depends counter by doing the same. And want to relive a World War II-like laxation on the exportation of Jap- on where you sit. Indeed, one s this is where the tensions come remilitarized Japan. And so as a anese military hardware to other judgment and views would always Why Arabic should in. Because the counteractions response, China stepped-up its countries. Japan already volun- be clouded by what one is and could be seen by the other states maritime patrols, and consequent- teered to provide patrol vessels where one is. So perhaps, a third as provocative, aggressive, offen- ly, imposed an Air Defense Iden- to any country that have disputes way, which could be tried, is sive or disruptive of the status tification Zone (ADIZ) in the East with China, such Vietnam and the through practical peace wherein be taught in UK schools quo, this then, could spark anoth- China Sea, but which, as a result, Philippines, and even signed a all the moderates or owls on each er round of counteraction. also drew alarm from the US and closer defense cooperation agree- side could be invited to carve out By Tony Calderbank of parchment. Mind-boggling beau- A knowledge of Arabic is instrumen- This now is where the ten- its other allies in the region. ment with Australia, which in- to think of more creative ways as ty Learning Arabic is much more tal to gaining a real understanding of sions appear to be leading with China per se does not neces- volves the joint development of a to how some functional coopera- rabic is one of the world s interesting than learning French or the peoples, societies and politics regard to the current Dilemma, sarily see the Philippines and Viet- stealth submarine technology and tion could be possible, because great languages. Spoken by Spanish. Arabic has whole words of the Arab world, and accessing a because each other s defensive nam as direct threats, but per- the possibility of selling Soryu- only this modality of pragmatism Amore than 400 million peo- made up of sounds your mouth range of employment opportunities actions have caused insecurity to haps, mere irritants at most. What class submarines to the latter. does not know how to discrimi- ple, it has been the vehicle of many has never made before; its gram- in the region s finance, media and other states. This Dilemma is it sees as threats are the US and The US as an Asian actor nate against sensitive national or significant contributions to the de- mar and morphology function in a commercial sectors. As its social, po- what could then cause or lead to Japan s actions in the region and The territorial disputes cease political hues. velopment of science and culture, completely different way from litical and commercial importance nationalist rhetoric and senti- the way they involve other states to be a pan-Asian issue because Aaron Jed Rabena is a PhD from the earliest odes of the pre- Indo-European languages. And, of increases, demand to learn Arabic is ments, including blame games or to join their agenda which, for some states are aligned with the Candidate in International Rela- Islamic poets through to the cut- course, it is written from right to set to grow. Knowledge of Arabic finger pointing. In other words, China, is a vote of confidence on US. The demand for continued US tions at Shandong University, Ji- ting-edge research of the philoso- left so that your hand (if you're among young people in the UK also the disputes and tensions are lead- the US strategic designs of con- presence in Asia is fueled by those nan, People s Republic of China. phers and mathematicians of Is- right-handed) must learn to push brings wider benefits, including a ing to a Security Dilemma. The tainment or guilt by plurilateral states that feel threatened by Chi- He is also the current President of lam s golden age, to the novels of the pen across the paper rather deeper mutual understanding be- symptoms of security dilemma consociations leading to an ac- na. This, by default, is what legit- the youth organization Philip- Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz. than pull. Imagine the buzz of de- tween our communities and the can also be seen when military cumulated threat which should imizes US alliance leadership and pines-China Friendship Club Arabic is also one of the official ciphering the mind-boggling beau- chance to restore much of the trust exercises are responded with mil- warrant certain countermeasures. continued presence in the region. (PCFC). This column was seen at languages of the United Nations ty of Arabic calligraphy or the sat- that has been erased over the last itary exercises all done in the The small powers: Vietnam The US has mainly two things the Eurasia Review. and was recently identified as one isfaction of articulating a newspa- decades as a result of political cir- of the ten most important languag- per headline that to others is just a cumstance and military interven- es for the UK's future. My intro- series of squiggles. It takes time to tionism. Those who learn Arabic will duction to Arabic took place at speak Arabic correctly the dream move beyond the shallow media ste- National transformation vision secondary school, where I studied of native-speaker competency reotypes to a fuller, more authentic By ASHRAF JEHANGIR QAZI French, German and Latin. When shimmering like a mirage in a track- awareness of the Arab world. There corrigible political system and ob- ment or performance. It could be man rights protections; domestic it came to planning my university less desert It takes time to speak are lots of good practical reasons MANY governments find an offi- solete social structure. Any vision drafted by anyone familiar with the resource mobilisation; poverty re- studies, I thought I d branch out Arabic correctly the dream of why Arabic is a good choice for UK cial national vision useful. Many statement should be seen as a com- cultural milieu, standard economic duction; elimination of structural and do Italian. Then, in one of the native-speaker competency shim- schools. A good understanding of institutions, business or otherwise, mitment to remove these system- and political aspirations, and a cut- inequalities; infrastructural and hu- most important pieces of advice I mering like a mirage in a trackless Arabic can lead to a job in the diplo- have mission statements. Political ic obstacles and ensure our people and-paste list of desired deliver- man resource development (educa- have ever received in my life, my desert, always just out of reach. matic service or security forces, parties have their manifestos in against the fate of a consistently ables. It would only camouflage tion, health, gender rights, etc.); A-level French teacher said: 'Why 'The first 20 years are the hardest', media and communications, finance which visions and strategies are failing state. Only then can it car- the real agendas of decision-mak- adequate national deterrence capa- don t you do something complete- James Craig, celebrated Arabist and banking, the oil and gas sectors. offered. Official economists often ry credibility. Otherwise, it will be ers. It would have no public own- bilities, tax and land reform; feasi- ly different like Arabic or Chinese?' and former ambassador to Saudi It can improve the UK s understand- use Perspective Plans. Our Con- more subterfuge than an expres- ership. It would provide no basis ble self-sufficiency (food, energy, This recommendation coincided Arabia, used to say. Most impor- ing of a complex and volatile region, stitution has an Objectives Reso- sion of political intent. Of course, for better governance. etc); accountable, participatory, with me seeing a television pro- tant of all though is that I have met whose stability has increasing reso- lution. All of these aim to clarify as a public relations exercise, ar- But what if we imagine a na- transparent and modern governance gram about Arabic calligraphy that and got to know thousands of Ar- nance in western Europe as the re- choices, objectives and strategies ticulating distracting and seductive tional leadership that is commit- systems and institutions; etc. The was being shown at the time. An abs. I have laughed and cried with percussions of colonial adventurism in pursuit of an assumed transfor- narratives , it has its uses. But that ted and competent? What kind of function of foreign policy will be old Turkish calligrapher was cut- them, argued and joked with them, in the Arab world continue to pan mation for the better. would be a mission statement with- credible vision should it have? It primarily to provide an enabling ting the nib of his reed pen and fallen out and made up with them. out. Or it could just lead to the dis- Some vision statements are ef- out a mission! Nevertheless, a na- should acknowledge today s external environment for the making letters on a large blank sheet I have made lifelong friends and covery that the Arab world, despite forts to induce target groups, which tional vision statement can be both wretched circumstances. It would achievement of national transforma- of parchment. I was smitten from have come to understand a bit the consonant clusters, is a great might be an entire electorate, into a prelude to and reflection of a na- need to recognise that a vision state- tion. No compromise regarding in- that moment and, shortly after, about the Arab world and its cul- place to get to know. In a few days making uninformed choices or ac- tional reforms campaign based on ment must emerge from compre- ternational obligations and princi- went to read Arabic and Persian at ture. At the same time, I have also time, members of the UK's Arabic cepting conditions and policies a commitment to national trans- hensive, inclusive and sustained pled positions are required. But The University of Manchester. I learned a lot about colonialism, the teaching community will gather at that do not in any way promote formation. President Xi Jinping national consultations; not in- policy choices and actions in sup- have never looked back. Since then, media and the nature of modern, the School of Oriental and African their interests. Noam Chomsky and the Chinese leadership have house drafting exercises. It would port of legal and valid foreign and Arabic has been a major part of global power relations. That s why Studies (SOAS) to discuss the is- suggests that much of democrat- articulated a Chinese Dream to need to reflect new beginnings. security policy objectives will be my life. After graduating, I lived in I think more people should learn sues and challenges of teaching the ic political messaging uses the drive reform and opening up to a Some say they are under way. In- consistent with national transfor- Cairo for 15 years, taught at a pri- Arabic. Endless possibilities and language in UK schools. same techniques as the marketing deeper level, to modernise the na- shallah! A possible vision state- mation imperatives. Transparen- mary school in a Cairo slum and opportunities A study of Arabic It is both essential and timely that of brands of soap and toothpaste. tional governance system and to ment Pakistan was founded with cy and transformation perspectives learned to speak the language. I opens up endless possibilities and the learning of Arabic in the UK Electoral campaign managers are bring about the great rejuvenation the vision of a secure and exem- will be factored into fiscal policies have spent most of the last 30 years opportunities for those who em- should be expanded and that more often hired from the private sec- of the Chinese nation . This rep- plary Islamic welfare state, at and allocations. Quantitative and in the Arab world. I have taught bark upon it. A rich and sophisti- children in our schools should have tor. In Pakistan, we tend to ask resents a serious statement of in- peace with itself and the world. qualitative growth rate targets will Arabic, translated its works of lit- cated language, spoken in many the opportunity to learn the language what the Quaid s vision was when tent to achieve the further enhance- That lost vision will be recovered be set in order to achieve dramati- erature into English and I can cut varieties throughout the Middle and become more familiar with the he founded Pakistan. Or what Al- ment of China s political, econom- and realised as an immediate and cally improved human development the nib of my own reed pen and East and North Africa, it is both cultures and peoples of the Arab lama Iqbal had in mind when he ic, social, welfare, security and overwhelming national priority. and other indices within challeng- make beautiful letters on a sheet challenging and rewarding to learn. world. conceived of Pakistan. Some go strategic status by the middle of The hopes, dreams and dignity of ing timelines. An information and back to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and this century. An honest and realis- the people will be restored. educational campaign will be the Aligarh Movement which even- tic vision statement would ac- The nation is confronted with launched to ensure public under- LETTER TO THE EDITOR tually led to the Pakistan Move- knowledge Pakistan as it is today. structural and systemic challenges standing and support for transfor- ment. Others go back further to The Chinese Dream is credible be- that have led to diminishing mative change. Certain circles mis- when Muslims ruled India for a cause of China s record of achieve- natio•nal sovereignty and the ex- interpret Islam and patriotism vision that today answers only to ments. Moreover, its formulation clusion of the poor, the weak (in- against the liberation of the people Afghan economy a romantic nostalgia. Instead of re- entailed massive research and anal- cluding women) and nearly all mi- from their traditional and current After collapse of the Taliban s regime in 2001, Afghanistan entered a new phase and the internation- iterating standard pieties and wish- yses, nation-wide top-down and norities. The people s faith has shackles. For political reasons, al community drove all of its attention towards this country. Billions of American dollars were show- lists, an honest and realistic vision bottom-up consultations in hun- been misused against their inter- some will oppose a modern Is- ered into the country in past 13 years but small part of the fund was reportedly spent on infrastructure statement would acknowledge Pa- dreds of forums, and development ests. The transformation of this lamic welfare state. They have a projects, which was not sufficient. During this period, the previous government had to work on kistan as it is today. It should com- and testing of feasible policy and state of affairs will be the respon- right to their opinions. But they infrastructure projects and schemes to make Afghanistan self-reliant. municate a sense of commitment. implementation strategies. It is a sibility of the government with the have no right to forcibly impose It should effectively declare war distillation of a people s determi- advice and assistance of the full them! The state will ensure that. Reluctance of related organizations in the past 13 years reached Afghanistan to the point that its on all the hindrances to develop- nation to realise their potential. range of civil and political society. Islam s gifts of freedom and rea- economy is dwindling and the government is unable to pay state salary. Afghanistan as a landlocked ing a 21st-century national out- Unfortunately, in Pakistan This transformation will comprise son provide the basis for a scientif- country should use two main sources of becoming self-sufficient first, the proper use of its natural look. These hindrances have gen- merely envisaging a Pakistani comprehensive and integrated re- ic culture and a just society based resources and secondly boosting up economic and trade ties with neighboring countries and as well as erated all the existential challenges Dream would have nothing to do forms at the national, regional and on rational discourse. The writer reviving vital trade routes such as the Silk Road. that threaten us from every direc- with current reality. It would be local levels. They will include a is a former ambassador to the US, Moreover, the National Unity Government should take control of the country s rivers and water tion every day. They are wittingly an idle fantasy. It would not be radical improvement of the rule of India and China and head of UN resources most of Afghanistan s water pour into neighboring countries freely and no government in this or unwittingly supported by an in- based on any record of commit- law; basic services provision; hu- missions in Iraq and Sudan. country has paid attention to this issue yet. In the meantime, the government should mechanize the agriculture sector because this sector can also develop Afghan economy and can lead the country towards self-sufficiency. Beheshta Sirat, Khairkhana, Kabul Disclaimer: Letter to editor will be edited for policy, content and clarity. All letters must have the The views and opinions expressed in the articles are those of the author(s) writer s name and address. You may send your letters to: and do not reflect the views or opinions of the Afghanistan Times. [email protected] This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. WEDNESDAY . MARCH 25, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES

ESHAWAR: When doctor tempt and one kidnap bid, Jafri more than 30 kidnapped, while up I was lucky that I survived two tors and the killing of a couple . the medics deeply traumatised af- know there is no other way to sur- Mehmood Jafri gets ready takes no chances with his person- to 3,000 have fled in search of a attempts because I sensed the The problem is not confined to the ter their release and unwilling to vive, Khan said. Hanif Afridi, a Pfor work in the morning, the al safety. He is one of hundreds of peaceful life elsewhere. threats moments before they tried northwest the medics' associa- speak about their experiences for successful eye specialist with clin- first thing he does is put his AK- Peshawar doctors living with the Guns have become as impor- to attack me and I escaped, Jafri tion in Karachi says 20 doctors fear of retribution from their ab- ics in several cities, pays $2,500 47 in the car. Then, after briefing daily threat of being killed or ab- tant as stethoscopes at clinics and told AFP as he finished surgery at have been killed in targeted at- ductors. They stop interacting each month to Mangal Bagh, a the armed guards at his home, he ducted for ransom by Taliban mil- guards watch over doctors' homes. Peshawar's main hospital. Many tempts in the past 14 months with others and restrict themselves feared warlord in Khyber tribal sets off for the hospital where he itants or criminal gangs. The doc- Doctors are seen as relatively easy other colleagues were not so lucky while 10 have been kidnapped in to their homes and clinics as the region. I am paying extortion since works in Peshawar with his most tors' association in Khyber Pakh- targets in Pakistan. They are well and they were either shot dead or two years. AFP has changed the kidnappers tell them they will find 2010. I know I am doing wrong trusted relative beside him as an tunkhwa province estimate that in paid, but often lack the protection kidnapped." Provincial health min- names of all the doctors in this sto- them if they ever reveal any de- but there is no other solution, se- escort. the past three years around a doz- of influential connections that ister Shehram Khan Tarakai con- ry for their own safety. Fear and tails at all, Doctor Amir Taj Khan, curity forces are unable to protect After surviving one murder at- en doctors have been killed and wealthy businessmen might enjoy. firmed the kidnapping of 30 doc- trauma Kidnapping leaves most of senior vice president of the Pro- us, Afridi told AFP. vincial Doctors Association, said. I have to keep Taliban hap- They don't even come to our py for my own security and secu- meetings. It's impossible for them rity of my business. Besides the to tell their stories publicly even if monthly fee, I pay them around you pay them 100 million rupees $5,000 when they demand more ($1 million)." money for 'special assignments', Khan said that of the 32 doc- he said. Afridi says he is some- tors who had been kidnapped in times taken to the tribal areas for Peshawar, only two had confided the treatment of Taliban command- in him what had happened to them. ers. Militants pick their targets They recounted being tied up carefully, carrying out sophisticat- with ropes and taken to lawless ed undercover surveillance before North Waziristan which has been striking. They know everything the stronghold of Al Qaeda and Tal- about everybody. Many Taliban iban militants for decades in Paki- visit our clinics in the disguise of stan. Khan went on to say that the patients and assess how rich we abductees were isolated from hu- are, so we have to abide by their man contact, suffered illness and demands, Afridi said. The pres- went untreated. A major offensive sure has become too much for many launched against militant strong- doctors and a steady stream have holds in North Waziristan last June left Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, putting brought fresh anxiety. With the further stress on an already weak military wading in with artillery healthcare system serving an ex- barrages and air strikes on insur- tremely poor part of Pakistan. gent positions, kidnappers and kid- They have migrated to the Gulf, napped became scared, never Dubai, Saudi Arabia, UK, USA, knowing if the next shell would kill Canada, Islamabad and Punjab, them. One detainee was moved re- Khan said. Up to 20 doctors are peatedly, Khan said, until finally moving out every month. I think an $80,000 ransom was agreed for around 3,000 have left (the prov- his release. Extortion ince) within three years." Aside Even the best-laid security ar- from the extortion, there is a sec- rangements do not always work in tarian aspect to the doctors' plight. Pakistan. One doctor said his kid- Most of those targeted, including nappers simply disarmed him and Jafri, are members of the Shia he ended up paying $130,000 for Muslim minority that makes up his release. Most doctors in Khy- around 20 per cent of Pakistan's ber Pakhtunkhwa now simply pay population, which is predominant- off the Taliban and criminal gangs, ly Sunni. Sectarian violence, most- Khan said, making the extortion and ly perpetrated by Sunni extrem- kidnapping business a hugely lu- ists, has risen sharply in recent crative revenue-earner for mili- years, with attacks on profession- tants. Almost 100 per cent of se- als such as doctors fuelling fears nior doctors pay extortion to avoid of a Shia brain drain from the A v iew o f t he La d y Rea d in g H o sp it a l in Pesha w a r . -Da w n / File kidnapping and killing they country. (DAWN) A Peruvian s struggle to survive TB and AIDS Transwoman combats tuberculosis, AIDS and a lifetime of abuse and social exclusion. Lima, Peru - Weighing only 36 kilos, for care. Pushed in a wheelchair by of an identification card. Piojo slowly Piojo sat slumped on her bed in a small, her friend, when she arrived at the opened the package - and inside was a As the battle for Tikrit passes its third week, it has emerged as Iraq's equivalent to Syria's Kobane. dark room thick with damp and stag- emergency room her blood pressure letter and her birth certificate. Smil- nant air. There was no light, no win- was dangerously low. Despite doc- ing, Piojo said the mother of the fam- The current battle for Tikrit has the ranks, becoming a general, and made the recent battle for the city US air support, so that they can dow, and nobody else. More than 10 tors' efforts, it was not rising. Pio- ily wrote that she was praying for her stalled, as the Iraqi military and leading a military coup in Iraq in relatively easy. In 2004, I remem- solely claim credit for the victory, years ago, Piojo, 30, was diagnosed jo's CD4 cell count, or quantity of and planning a Mass in her name. affiliated Iraqi Shia and Sunni mili- 1968. A younger cousin of his, ber entering Tikriti on a major av- and giving Iran a high-profile vic- with HIV, something she did little white blood cells that help prevent "Despite the abuse, I care for her a tias have failed to expel ensconced Saddam Hussein, would take part enue bisecting the city. The Uni- tory in the fight against ISIL. Iran's about as it lay silent. However, when infection, was 49. An average lot. Thanks to her, I know how to do ISIL fighters. Conflicting reports in the coup, eventually seizing the versity of Tikrit was larger than strategy, along with the Iraqi Shia the virus combined with a recent di- healthy person has 500 to 1,200. a lot of things, like cook," Piojo said have emerged over the role US presidency for himself in 1979. the town itself. It was due to militias is to take the city, district- agnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Doctors said without surgery, a heart in a soft voice. "I felt like trash, like I airpower should play in this battle, Both men were Tikritis and mem- Saddam's investment in his home- by-district, street-by-street, despite (TB), her health rapidly deteriorated attack and death were inevitable. was abandoned, but not anymore." On with the US, the Iraqi military, and bers of the Baath Party. 'Tikriti town that made it an unsuitable incurring high casualties. US air to AIDS. World TB Day is marked on However, without ever having had a recent Sunday, Piojo was surprised militias debating amongst them- Republic of Iraq' Saddam placed urban battleground in Iraq's post- support The US appears to have Tuesday highlighting a disease that a government identification card, by the completely unexpected. Walk- selves. This debate occurs during his relatives in high positions of 2003 insurgency. Wide avenues acquiesced to this strategy. By not kills 1.5 million people around the acquiring the funds for that opera- ing through the door marked Keep a battle replete with both tactical power, and since they all came and large spaces did not favour providing air support, the US is al- globe each year, most in the develop- tion was a huge challenge. With no Closed, Piojo saw her surrogate par- and symbolic significance. The fate from Tikrit, the city would be as- ambushes, unlike the narrow and lowing the Iranian and Shia militia ing world. As a transgender sex work- health insurance, Piojo was left to ents for the first time in more than of this battle will determine Iraq's sociated with his rule thereafter. winding streets of Falluja, which forces to incur heavy casualties in er in Peru, Piojo's perilous condition the mercy of social workers and the 10 years. Taken aback with shock, her future. It is also a battle for Iraq's Other townspeople, not related to provided the perfect cover for the Tikrit, which would deplete their is not uncommon. Outcasts in a high- kindness of others. 'It was my mar- disbelief quickly turned to smiles. "I past. Tikrit has been etched in both Saddam, did become prominent in Iraqi insurgents. The current battle manpower and momentum, allow- ly conservative, machismo, religious tyrdom' Piojo, whose mother died told you I wouldn t abandon you," said the Iraqi and international imagi- the higher echelons of the state, to for Tikrit is the second attempt to ing America's preferred partner, the and transphobic society, many trans- when she was four, was raised by a Mar a Angeles, caressing Piojo s back. nation as Saddam Hussein's home- the point that critics called Iraq, dislodge ISIL from the city. Iraqi Iraqi military, to continue the fight gender people share her fate. Accord- family that physically abused her After handing Piojo some gifts, she town. However, the city and its Jamhuriyyat Al-Iraq al-Tikritiyya armed forces had tried to retake against ISIL. The Iranian and Shia ing to a study by Peru's Cayetano and treated her like a servant. She slowly dressed to go outside. Pushing inhabitants deserve a place within or the "Tikriti Republic of Iraq". Tikrit from ISIL in the summer of forces had successes earlier in tak- Heredia University, 30 percent of tran- cooked, cleaned, made purchases Piojo in a wheelchair, they found a the greater history of Iraq, beyond Tikrit now will be forever marred 2014 but were repulsed, taking ing control of smaller, ISIL-held swomen in Peru are infected with HIV, and sold popsicles on the street, shaded spot to sit and talk. With hes- enjoying notoriety for being by its association with its most heavy casualties in the process. towns in the Iraqi province of a reality directly linked to "high rates which compromised her studies. Life itation, Angeles broke the awkward si- Saddam's birthplace. The story of famous son. It is what makes the This second round in the battle for Diyala. Tikrit, which has garnered of sex work and drug abuse, which are worsened when a male in the family lence, asking what she has been doing Tikrit explains the rise of Saddam battle for Tikrit symbolic, and also Tikrit has proved just as deadly international attention, could pro- themselves linked to extreme mar- started to sexually molest her. "It all these years. After Piojo recounted Hussein. Technically, Saddam what motivates the fighters com- for Iraqi forces, with the campaign vide for the US an Iranian-Shia mili- ginalisation and lack of other options was my martyrdom," Piojo told Al her experiences with drugs, incarcera- Hussein was actually born in a vil- batting ISIL mete out punishments losing momentum due to the rela- tia coalition, bogged down in fight- for survival". Discrimination and stig- Jazeera, her emaciated arms covered tion and work on the streets, Angeles lage outside of Tikrit, al-Awja. on its civilian population. How- tively high casualty count. Failing ing for the city, with its ranks de- matisation greatly affect their health, from wrist to elbow in deep, razor- told Piojo that God was giving her Tikrit's association with state un- ever, being a Tikriti did not guar- to take the city the second-time pleted from the battle. Indirectly Dr Eduardo Matos, who has special- blade-thin scars. Unable to bear the another chance at life and the oppor- der Saddam can be traced to a socio- antee one's survival in Baathist around will serve as an embarrass- this would serve America's interest ised in infectious diseases for 14 years, abuse, at 14 years old Piojo ran away, tunity to repent. Sitting silently economic shift around the 1930s, Iraq. One of its townsmen, Hardan ment for the Iraqi state, and it will in blunting what appears to be an told Al Jazeera. a common solution among trans- throughout their conversation, Pio- affecting both the city and its en- al-Tikriti, an Iraqi Air Force com- most likely invest every effort in inexorable rise of Iranian influence "They think a lot about leaving women when faced with constant jo's surrogate father, Francisco Alce- virons. Iraqi offensive against ISIL mander and potential rival to this campaign. The battle was seen in Iraq. In between the US and Iran, their world where they feel safe. Com- bullying and rejection at home and do, suddenly stood up. "But honey, you in Tikrit on hold Tikriti townsmen Saddam, was assassinated on the in its initial states as a rehearsal stands the Iraqi government, which ing to a hospital means exposing school. Entering into a transpho- have to stop saying 'son' and calling Situated on the Tigris River, latter's orders. Even Tikritis, be- for the looming, more daunting seeks to recast the battle for Tikrit themselves to abuse and discrimina- bic, conservative society without fi- her 'José.' You have to accept it," he Tikritis had been traditionally con- fore the fall of Saddam Hussein, battle for Mosul. However Tikrit as a national one, while reigning in tion. They think twice, even three nancial or emotional support, Pio- said. Bowing her head, looking up with nected to the manufacture of the communicated to me how uneasy is now no longer just an urban cen- the abuses conducted by the Shia times. That postpones their care and jo, like many transwomen, eventu- her eyes, Angeles said, "Yes, I know, I kalak, a small boat used to traverse they were about the notoriety they tre on the way to Mosul. Tikrit militias against the civilian, Arab they end up in a situation like that of ally fell into prostitution. "[Sex know. It's just that I have always the river. They found their way of garnered by virtue of association itself has become a prize, part of a Sunni population. As the battle for Piojo," Matos said. When HIV com- work] is a social world complete with known him as my 'cholito', as my lit- life obsolete with the introduction with Saddam Hussein. Saddam, in larger battle to lift the nation's Tikrit has passed its third week, it bines with TB, both diseases advance friends and enemies. Their real fam- tle 'José'. It will take time, step by quickly. "She was on the border of ily rejects them, so their chosen step." Piojo sat silent. Walking back death," Matos said. Perilous combi- family is also there," said Ximena to the ward below a canopy of palm nation According to the World Health Salazar, a Cayetano University an- trees, Alcedo wheeled her chair onto Organisation, TB accounts for nearly thropologist and one of Peru's lead- the grass. Saying their goodbyes, Al- one-in-four deaths among people with ing researchers on transgender is- cedo slipped Piojo some money say- HIV worldwide. HIV-infected people sues. As transgender sex workers, ing it was for whatever she might need. are 20 to 30 times more likely to they are highly vulnerable to dis- Later opening up her present, a heart- develop TB than people without the ease, violence from partners and shaped radio, Piojo was happy. Two virus. Falling only behind Haiti, Peru police, and sexual and substance days after the family visit, Piojo lay is the second country in Latin Amer- abuse. Sequestered in hostile envi- on one side of the bed, curled up like a ica with the highest number of TB ronments throughout their lives, ball. Suffering from chronic diarrhea, cases and the first in the Americas for many see no way out resulting in she could no longer eat. "I can't stand Multidrug-Resistant strains (MDR- depression, low self-esteem, and self- this anymore," said Piojo, her face TB). Of the 35,000 cases, 60 percent neglect. According to Salazar, poor twisted with anguish. Turning on the live in Lima, the country s capital. health habits such as not eating, fre- radio, hymnal music streamed out "But, Peru has more resources than quent use of purgatives, and alcohol from the shiny red speaker. Piojo be- Haiti so it shouldn't be that way. That and drug abuse can lead to other dis- gan to cry, tears streaming down her means that there has definitely been eases such as TB. "HIV is one of the face. As days passed, the IV, oxygen a failure in the health system," Matos many problems, but it's not neces- and feeding tubes grew in number, said. [Sex work] is a social world com- sarily the only one," Salazar told Al framing the base of her bed like a web. plete with friends and enemies. Their Jazeera. Edge of death When Piojo Every visit, there was more bad news, real family rejects them, so their cho- arrived to the hospital, many feared more new ailments, more prescrip- sen family is also there. Ximena Salaz- she would not survive. Huapaya tions, more medicine. Though her ar, Cayetano University That same pleaded with the hospital's social emergency health insurance covered health system thwarted Piojo from workers to help pay for her medical most costs, it did not pay for every- seeking emergency medical care. Vig- needs and the surgery that eventu- thing and money was dwindling fast. orously shaking her head, Piojo re- ally saved her life. "Piojo was scared "We are giving her the absolute stron- of steam boats and had to find a their view represented the uncul- morale. Tikrit is also symbolic of has emerged as Iraq's equivalent to called a friend who died in hospital because she saw the edge of death. gest antibiotics that exist in Peru," new livelihood. Tikriti men had to tured, unrefined rural countryside how the US-Iranian modus vivendi Syria's Kobane, with the roles re- for what she said was a lack of proper That's why she allowed us to hospi- said Matos, explaining many illnesses find work by migrating to the capi- taking over the state. However, has faltered during this battle, dem- versed. In this case ISIL is not con- care because of being transgender. In talise her. Before that, she didn't were now affecting her. "Now, HIV tal, Baghdad, the fate of most of Tikrit now will be forever marred onstrating that this is not only a ducting the siege, but are now the Piojo's case, she was encouraged to want to be. She is very lucky to have doesn't kill. Opportunistic diseases Iraq's dislocated rural population. by its association with its most fight between the Iraqi state try- besieged. Kobane emerged as a sym- seek help. "When I met her, I never gotten out of that," Huapaya said. kill," Huapaya said referring to TB. During this period, an officer from famous son. It is what makes the ing to reclaim a captured city from bol of reversing ISIL's momentum imagined her health would be so dete- After receiving the surgery, a week Though Piojo is suffering, she said her a prominent, land-owning Tikriti battle for Tikrit symbolic, and also a non-state actor, but also a stag- in Syria, with the almost complete riorated. She was so destitute. I was later Piojo was moved from emer- ordeal has changed her life for the family, Mawlud Mukhlis, encour- what motivates the fighters com- ing ground between how Iran and destruction of the town in the pro- positive that she was going to die," gency to an isolated room. Days lat- better. Her days of drinking and doing aged his townsmen to join the mili- batting ISIL mete out punishments the US will shape Iraq's future. cess. Tikrit now could suffer the said volunteer health worker Myrian er, two friends arrived with a pack- drugs are over as she promised God tary or its academies, as a means on its civilian population. While Ironically, Iran and the US appear same fate. Ibrahim al-Marashi is Abanto Huapaya, who encouraged age from the family that raised her she would leave her troubled past be- of creating a sympathetic network unconfirmed, in the battle for to have come to an agreement on an assistant professor at the Depart- Piojo to admit herself. as a child. hind. "I have my ID, my friends and within the armed forces. A Tikriti Tikrit's past, these forces demol- keeping US airstrikes out of the ment of History, California State Unable to properly eat for weeks They had heard about Piojo's my family. What more can I ask for? who joined the military during this ished the tomb of Saddam Hussein. battle, for different motivations. University, San Marcos. He is the because of the pain of chlamydia in health and complications obtaining I just want to get out of here," Piojo period was Ahmad Hassan al- Ironically, Saddam Hussein's in- Iran and its affiliated militias to co-author of "Iraq s Armed Forces: her throat, Piojo realised the urgency health insurance because of her lack said. (Al Jazeera) Bakr, who would later rise through vestments in Tikrit should have want to seize Tikrit without any An Analytical History." This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. WEDNESDAY . MARCH 25, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES IMF WELCOMES BEIJING-LED ASIAN BANK Turkey is preparing for further delays in the delivery of two BEIJING: International Monetary tive that will mobilise funding in A400M military transport aircraft Fund (IMF) head Christine Lagarde order to fill the infrastructure gap it ordered from Airbus Group, ac- said on Monday she welcomed is certainly welcome . cording to defense officials in An- Beijing s creation of a new infra- China has embraced the Euro- kara. It signed a deal for 10 of the structure bank an institution pean eagerness to take part in the heavy cargo and troop carriers in that has drawn support from Eu- new body, with state media claim- 2003 as part of a group of seven rope and scepticism from Wash- ing that the US risks being side- European NATO nations, expect- ington. lined. Beijing touts the $50 billion ing its part of the order to be ful- Lagarde made the comments as institution as a tool to help meet filled by 2018. After four years of she wrapped up a five-day visit to gaps in financing needs for regional delays in Europe s largest defense China and after a host of European development in Asia. But US offi- project, Turkey received two of countries announced their inten- cials have expressed caution amid the aircraft in 2014 and was due to tion to sign up for the China-led worries the institution could un- receive two more this year. But Asian Infrastructure Investment dermine the World Bank. officials told Reuters that the lat- Bank (AIIB). The moves by Brit- Lagarde also said the IMF wel- est deliveries are now likely to be ain, Germany, France, Italy and comed Beijing s longstanding drive late. Airbus will have to pay a pen- others have caused consternation to include its yuan in the IMF s alty or offer services for the new in the United States and Japan, basket of reserve currencies, add- delays, they said, without giving a which lead the World Bank and the ing: We will work closely with new timeline. The penalty will Manila-based Asian Development the Chinese authorities in this re- depend on the number of days the Bank respectively. Some view the gard. Lagarde s visit comes amid deliveries are delayed, so the fig- new bank as a competitor to the mounting concern over slowing ure is not clear yet. Receiving prod- two institutions. growth in the world s second-larg- ucts and services from the compa- In a statement issued after she est economy. Top Chinese leaders ny is also possible, one of the met Premier Li Keqiang, Lagarde have said the economy is in a deli- officials said. Airbus Military is in hailed Beijing s impressive ef- cate transition from decades of the process of negotiating a new forts to reform in areas including double-digit annual growth to a delivery schedule for the A400M combating corruption, controlling new, slower and more sustainable but has not so far published a time- pollution and clearing the path to model, a stage they have branded table. However, industry sources even more engagement with the as the new normal . Lagarde ref- say its base production plan of 14 world . I welcomed China s vari- erenced the phrase and offered aircraft for this year includes two ous initiatives in this area, includ- praise for the structural reforms for Turkey. We are currently dis- over the A400M last year, saying and analysts say declarations about technical problems with the Euro- key by defense procurement agen- ing through the newly established pledged by the ruling Communist cussing A400M production with it was Ankara that was delaying the troubled project have tended to pean transporter plane. But Airbus cy OCCAR include Belgium, Brit- Asian Infrastructure Investment Party at its top meeting in late all the customers and we will com- taking delivery of the first aircraft reflect tough negotiating positions acknowledged last year that it faced ain, France, Germany, Luxembourg Bank, she said. Lagarde said Sun- 2013. This should lead to slower, municate further on that when the as a bargaining move. But sever- on all sides. Turkey took part in a new delays and in February took a and Spain. Malaysia has also agreed day that the IMF would be de- safer, and more sustainable growth discussions are complete, an Air- al buyers, notably Germany, have seven-nation, 3.5-billion-euro bail- charge of 551 million euros ($618 to buy the plane, which fits between lighted to cooperate with the new with a focus on innovation and bus Military spokesman said. Air- grown increasingly concerned out in 2010 that was supposed to million). Other European buyers the smaller Lockheed Martin C-130 bank, according to China s official entrepreneurship which will be bus clashed publicly with Turkey about the latest round of delays, put an end to chronic delays and jointly represented along with Tur- and larger Boeing C-17. Xinhua news agency. World Bank good for China and its people, and Managing Director Sri Mulyani good for the world, Lagarde said. Indrawati has also hailed the AIIB, Published in Dawn March 24th , ADB steps up Islamic Iran approves $297b fiscal budget telling Xinhua: Any new initia- 2015 finance efforts outline of the text without provid- ing details on oil revenues. The MANILA: The Asian Develop- by the G20 which placed sukuk in weight of oil in the budget has ment Bank (ADB) is stepping up its annual agenda last month. dropped significantly and now efforts to assist member countries ADB is currently providing tech- reaches 25 per cent while it was to use Islamic finance in areas such nical assistance to a number of 50pc over the last three years, as infrastructure financing, ranging member countries in this area parliament speaker Ali Larijani said from technical assistance to pro- (sukuk for debt financing) and we on Monday. He added that the viding credit guarantees, an ADB could see developments in the next budget was disconnected to oil official said. The Manila-based de- few months. ADB is also prepar- prices. Larijani said the oil price per barrel was calculated at a min- velopment lender sees Islamic fi- ing a $2 million technical assistance imum of $40, against a government nance, a sector which now holds (TA) programme to help five cen- forecast in December of $72 per systemic importance in countries tral and west Asian countries to barrel. If prices rise above $40 per such as Pakistan and Bangladesh, develop their regulatory frame- barrel in the second half of the year, as complementing its objectives to work and strengthen their ability the surplus revenue would be in- boost financial inclusion and pro- to deal with Islamic finance super- vested in infrastructure projects, BEIJING: International Monetary Fund Managing Director mote financial stability. Shariah- vision. The programme is exclu- The final budget is around 8,500 trillion rials ($297 billion, he said. Iran s Oil Ministry said Christine Lagarde poses with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the compliant instruments such as sively focused on Islamic finance 280bn euros) according to Tasnim news agency. -Reuters crude has averaged $44 a barrel Great Hall of the People. AP sukuk, or Islamic bonds, have and could be approved in Septem- since the start of the year. Iranian gained prominence as funding tools ber, Mohammed said. TEHRAN: Iran has approved its sent to parliament, just days be- crude exports have fallen from for a wide range of countries over The TA will also address fi- budget for the next fiscal year with fore the March 21 deadline, the more than 2.2 million barrels per the last year, a trend which the nancial literacy, specifically Islamic oil accounting for just a quarter of Iranian New Year. day (bpd) in 2011 to about 1.3m Price range ADB is keen to extend to several finance literacy. revenue after a global fall in crude The final budget is around bpd because of an oil embargo im- of its 67 member countries. There is a focus on legal as- prices, local media said on Tues- 8,500 trillion rials ($297 billion, posed by the United States and Sukuk issuances by Hong Kong pects and regulations, but we also day. The text was approved Mon- 280bn euros) according to Tasnim the European Union in response and the UK have allowed our have to look at consumer aware- day by the Guardians Council and news agency, which published the to Tehran s nuclear ambitions. of summer member countries to look at sukuk ness. AAA-rated ADB is also in a very different way, said considering partial guarantees to Ashraf Mohammed, Assistant boost the credit rating of sukuk About 30pc see Japan economy General Counsel and Practice Lead- from sovereign issuers, which fabrics in Pak er of Islamic Finance at the ADB. would help ensure better pricing, ADB had considered making an he added. Such guarantees are gain- heading toward deterioration: Poll The local summer fabrics market in other businesses, are proportion- issuance of its own, but the focus ing traction in Islamic finance, with is peculiar for the width of its price ate to their size. Producers of finer is now on supporting member recent deals from Britain s export About 30 percent the public feels ister Shinzo Abe s economic poli- It was conducted between Jan. 15 range. Prices of fine varieties are fabrics and textile brand owners states use of sukuk for their pub- credit agency and Export Devel- the economy is on the verge of de- cies, dubbed Abenomics, center- and Feb. 1, before the annual falling and may end up 15pc lower should slash their prices as their lic debt financing, mirroring a move opment Canada. terioration, up 11.3 points from ing on aggressive quantitative eas- spring wage talks between com- this year as cheaper cotton imports cost of production has come down about a year ago, an opinion poll ing, massive fiscal spending and panies and labor unions ended. have reduced the cost of produc- because of cheaper lint imports. taken by the Cabinet Office says. vows of structural reform. Abe has Asked what they see as heading in tion. Prices of cotton lint have fol- My sense is that they will lower The US economy is Asked what they perceive as go- been in power since late 2012. Yet a good direction, the largest lowed the global trajectory of com- the prices not because the produc- ing in a bad direction, 39 per- the percentage of respondents pes- group, at 30.1, percent said sci- cent of the respondents cited the simistic about the economy was ence and technology, followed by under threat because of its government s finances and 31.3 the second-lowest since the 2008 26.7 percent who chose medical percent cited prices both higher global economic meltdown, possi- services and welfare, and 21.3 per- neglected infrastructure than the previous survey in Janu- bly suggesting lingering hope of an cent who chose disaster preven- ary 2014 while 30.3 percent economic recovery in the longer tion. Public spending on roads, airports, bridges, railways said the economy. The outcome term. The interview survey cov- But only 10.4 percent cited the and power grids is only half of Europe's, and some say could be a sign of faltering public ered 10,000 adults nationwide and economy, down 11.6 percentage the nation s very prosperity is threatened expectations toward Prime Min- drew responses from 60.1 percent. points from the preceding survey.

h, the first signs of spring future that had already arrived. It in the capital of the free had the best technology, the most Aworld. Thickening buds on modern cities, the fanciest cars, the India to surpass China the azaleas and dogwoods, the most up-to-date airports. The jew- start of the Cherry Blossom festi- el in the crown was the interstate val, and the new baseball season highway system, built in the 1950s modity prices and declined by as tion cost has gone down, but to (can the hometown Nationals win and 1960s to knit a continent to- IN ECONOMIC GROWTH much as 40pc over the past one tighten their grip on the market, the World Series?) just a fortnight gether. year, according to key textile play- he added. A random survey of mar- away. Oh yes, and the potholes. Alas, sooner or later, youthful India could outpace China as the China's economic output totaled ister Narendra Modi has made eco- ers. The trend has influenced the kets in Karachi endorsed the ex- This spring they re worse than beauty fades. And so it is with world's fastest growing economy more than $10 trillion in 2014, com- nomic growth a top priority. In its pricing of better fabric because of pectation. At the lower end of the ever. Not just on the back roads America s infrastructure. Many of as soon as this year, according to pared with India's roughly $2 tril- latest budget, the Modi government the fiber-import component in its cotton fabrics market, prices are but on major highways too, some those projects date back to the International Monetary Fund di- lion, according to IMF data. Also, announced plans to cut taxes on cost. However, poor female sum- stable at last year s level; but at of them veritable elephant traps. immediate post-war years, even to rector Christine Lagarde. Lagarde, predictions don't necessarily al- businesses, boost spending on in- mer fabric buyers might not bene- the higher end, customers are Hit a couple of them at speed and FDR s New Deal to counter the who was visiting India last week, ways come true. Still, Lagarde de- frastructure, among other broad in- fit as much as the rich, for the price clinching value deals. Last year, the your car s a candidate for the knack- Great Depression. More than half said the country's economy is ex- scribe India as a "bright spot" in itiatives. Looking further ahead, differential is expected to be high- cheapest varieties of three-piece er s yard. America being America, a century later, they re in desper- pected to grow 7.5% in the up- the outlook for global economic Lagarde said India's economy will er in the finer varieties. The situ- lawn suits ranged between Rs500 some clever person has even come ate need of overhaul or replace- coming 2015-2016 fiscal year, growth. "The conditions are ripe for have doubled in size compared with ation works in favour of the bigger to Rs1,000, while the starting price up with a dollar number for the ment. which begins in April, up from India to reap the demographic div- 2009. She said Indian output is also market players who have the cush- of a branded suit piece was around damage they cause $6.4bn Surveys merely confirm Amer- 7.2% in the current fiscal year. At idend and become a key engine for on track to exceed the combined ion to absorb price cuts as they Rs1,700 and went as high as (£4.2bn) for 2014, which was also ica s relative slide. A World Eco- that rate, India would be the global growth," Lagarde told stu- output of Russia, Brazil and Indo- try to increase the reach of their Rs28,000. Currently, the prices of a pretty brutal winter in the east- nomic Forum report ranking coun- world's fastest growing large econ- dents at an event organized at a nesia. Related: India has more bil- brand to the middle and lower-mid- coarse cotton varieties are the same ern US. This year will surely be tries by infrastructure puts Amer- omy, she added. Late last year, the women's college in New Dehil on lionaires than Russia Lagarde said dle classes. This will serve to drive as before, but high-end brands like no less costly. ica 25th (Britain came 24th while IMF had predicted that India's March. 16. "It is on the verge of a the India's robust outlook reflects the short-term players to the side- Sana Safinaz, Asim Jofa and Khaa- Potholes are an unavoidable the winner, you might have economy would grow by 6.5% in new chapter, filled with immense its growing and young population. lines The fabric for a three-piece di etc have scaled down their min- fact of life in climates such as Wash- guessed, was Switzerland). In air 2016, faster than China's predict- promise." Related: 6 big ideas from More than half of India's 1.25 bil- suit priced at Rs500 is already sell- imum prices, particularly for on- ington s, of successive freezes and transport, a field pioneered by the ed 6.3% expansion. Estimates have India's budget Lagarde attributed lion population is below the age of ing for too narrow a margin. It is line deals. On their respective web- thaws, rainstorms and snow- US, the country has fallen to 30th since been revised for Indian gross India's dynamism to "recent policy 25, with 12 million Indians entering hard to imagine it being sold any sites, the minimum price of an Asim storms, and God knows what cor- and anyone navigating New domestic product. However even reforms and improved business the workforce every year. By 2030, cheaper. At best, producers may Jofa suit is quoted at Rs1,300, Sana rosive chemicals slathered on the York s grubby and congested air- with the faster pace of growth, confidence" that provided a "boost- India is expected to top China as resist the temptation for an annual Safinaz Rs1,500, Khaadi Rs1,650, roads to keep them open. Indubi- ports, or drab Dulles here in DC, India doesn't come close to China er shot" for the economy. The pro- the world's most populous nation, raise in the price line, a textile Classic Rs1,600, Royal Rs1,700, tably though, there are now more would consider that assessment in terms of raw economic power. business government of Prime Min- according to Lagarde. tycoon told Dawn. If you look at Gul Ahmed Rs3,600, Orient potholes than ever. And they are a flattering. Astonishingly, not a sin- the costing, which includes raw Rs4,000, Katan Rs1,950, Al symptom of a far deeper crisis, one gle major new airport has opened cloth, dying and printing, there is Karam 1,750, Muasummary that some say threatens the very in the US since Denver Interna- no way to produce the standard Rs4,950, Firdous Rs2,496 and economic pre-eminence of Ameri- tional in 1995. 7.5-8 metres of a three-piece lawn Junaid Jamshed s at Rs1,985. ca. Another report claims that al- suit for less than Rs600. The vari- Some other leading groups are Nis- The way to eliminate pot- most a third of America s most eties available for Rs500 and less hat, Sapphire, Crescent, Sitara, It- holes, or at least diminish their important roads need major repair, use rejected material or inferior tehad, Dawood and Five Star. It number, is to keep the roads in while 70,000 bridges one in nine quality of dyes, a leading textile appears that Bareeze, Orient and good shape, with regular resurfac- are deemed structurally defi- exporter said over phone from Fais- Gul Ahmed are the priciest, while ing. But far less is being done than cient ; in plain English, unsafe. In alabad. However, the margins are the others have introduced variet- required. And the same goes for Pittsburgh, a river city where bridg- fairly high for the 10 biggest play- ies that are within the reach of the the rest of the infrastructure in the es are all, the proportion is one in ers in the textile market, who have middle classes. The situation US: not just roads, but ports and five. A couple of times in recent developed brands and dedicated works in favour of the bigger mar- airports, bridges, railways and years, these arid figures became store chains. The medium and small ket players who have the cushion power grids, those boring basics real-life disasters: when the bridge textile millers seem to be envious to absorb price cuts as they try to that keep a country running. Amer- at Minneapolis over the Missis- of the textile tycoons crowding increase the reach of their brand to ica, to believe the title of a recent sippi, carrying Interstate I-35, col- them out of the market. They sug- the middle and lower-middle class- television documentary on the sub- lapsed in 2007, killing 13 people; gested that the big business hous- es. This will serve to drive the ject, is falling apart literally. and in 2013 when a bridge failed es tend to understate their profits short-term players to the side- Not so long ago the opposite on I-5, the main Pacific coast high- and amplify the problems. They lines, commented another big-wig was true. The US was the shining way, in Washington state. hinted that margins in textiles, like on the condition of anonymity. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. WEDNESDAY. MARCH 25 , 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES Angelina Jolie reveals she Nargis Fakhri has removed her ovaries in stuns at preventative surgery Lakme Nearly two years after writing a much-discussed essay in the New Fashion Week York Times detailing her decision to have a double mastectomy, An- Nargis Fakhri made a beautiful The iconic Hudson River was transformed into the gelina Jolie has followed up with bride as she modeled Suneet Var- world s newest catwalk yesterday. Jessica Minh Anh, more health news: Last week she the model and entrepreneur marked her ninth fashion ma's design underwent surgery to remove her Even though the fourth day show staged at a unique location. The J Spring Fashion ovaries and fallopian tubes. Show 2015 presented New York in a new light. of the Lakme Fashion Week was a It is not easy to make these star-studded event, it was Suneet Anh s series of history-making catwalks also show- decisions, she wrote in an opin- cased the new collection of Pakistani designer Syeda ion piece published Tuesday. But, Varma s collection that took the Amera, said a press release. The ultra-feminine collec- Jolie said, I know my children will cake as showstopper Nargis Fa- tion was based on fabrics including; premium quality never have to say, Mom died of khri dazzled the audience in his net, silk and jersey. All these looks were spiced up in ovarian cancer. stunning design. ultra-sassy aqua and blue shades. It not only accentuat- The surgery, like the double Wearing a crystal encrusted ed a woman s body but also gave her a modern edge mastectomy Jolie underwent in with dynamic patterns and transparency. The designs red bridal outfit with intricate gold 2013, was preventative. She car- work, Nargis gracefully walked were weaved to cater to an international market. ries a gene mutation called BRCA1 Speaking earlier about Amera s collection, the mod- the runway and left the crowd in that puts her at high risk for breast awe. el said, Syeda s outfits truly embody the elegance of a and ovarian cancers, and three The surgery, called a laparo- woman while giving her that bold edge. This is solely women in her family have died of scopic bilateral salpingo- Suneet Varma s bridal collec- why I decided to showcase her collection. I like the cancer. oophorectomy, effectively puts tion, titled Decorative Arts of glittery beads, sequined texture, and transparency in After a blood test revealed high Jolie in early menopause. The 39- India , was a fancy display of co- her designs. levels of inflammatory markers year-old will not be able to have lours inspired by the traditional With New York s famous skyline and its architec- that could be signs of early cancer, any more children. motifs and crafts of Southwest tural masterpieces being the natural backdrop, the guests Jolie immediately underwent test- But I feel at ease with what- were seated facing the multi-faceted glass windows of Indian states. He used a variety ing for a tumor. The surgeon who ever will come, not because I am of fabrics and embroidery designs Bateaux New York as they watched models create an strong but because this is a part of conducted the ultrasound was the to achieve a traditional and mod- illusion of walking on water while the boat was cruis- life, she wrote. same one who treated her mother, ern look for his lehenga cholis. ing. The participating designer showcased a combina- Jolie wrote, and the two teared up For advocates of breast cancer tion of haute couture, ready-to-wear, luxury jewellery, when they saw one another. awareness, Jolie s essays are a The actress was all praises for and leather bag collections from four continents. But we smiled at each other welcome dose of candor on a sub- the designer as the show ended. One of the reasons that make Anh s catwalks and agreed we were there to deal ject they say is often stigmatized. He is one of the best designers unique, according to ABC7, is that Jessica combines with any problem, so let s get on A few decades ago, it would of the Indian fashion industry and art, architecture, culture, and fashion. She has previ- with it, Jolie wrote. not have been the norm for some- wearing his clothes has just made ously transformed iconic venues in the world, such as The tests were negative, but one of Angelina s stature to come Eiffel Tower, One World Trade Center, and the Grand me feel like a queen, said the ex- Jolie opted for surgery anyway. out and talk about having this dis- cited star. Canyon Skywalk, into historic catwalks. ease, having preventive surgery Though there are several routes for This is not the first time the Jessica Minh Anh s innovative catwalk concept like this, Nancy Brinker, the preventing cancer in women with actress has caused such a riot on took my breath away. It was truly magnificent. I can- the BRCA1 mutation, Jolie and founder of Susan G. Komen for the not think of a better way to present fashion and New her doctors both Eastern and Cure, told The Washington Post the runway. She looked stunning York. She has definitely brought something very spe- Western decided that removing in 2013. It s a real testimony to in Shehlaa s off-shoulder sheer cial to the fashion world, said Jana Leblanc, Cosmo- her ovaries and tubes was best for her and to the journey we ve all dress at last year s LFW and like politan CZ. her. gone in the last 30 years. a glamorous beauty when she modeled Ritu Kumar s design at Lost and not the LFW 2013. Stepping away from I did my best : Redfoo becomes the first to Here s the Bollywood actress stealing the show in Suneet s de- found - leave Dancing With The Stars sign. LAWN STAPLES Celebrities Quirky pop star Redfoo was the first to be kicked off Dancing With The Stars on Monday- despite making the biggest turnaround on the dance floor. The LMFAO singer went from the bottom of the As the sweltering heat of summer about her latest collection, Shahja- gone missing leaderboard last week to a contender right near the top with a fun-packed jive that had the judges stunned approaches, lawn has become the han stated, Last year, our lawn at his improvement. But it was too little too late as the decision was made on last week's performance - and he was left as the first contestant sent home from the 20th season of the dancing competition show.It was fabric du jour. In the wake of this had floral dominance and featured It s a sad state of affairs when our latest trend, Zara Shahjahan recent- Indian motifs. This year, our in- once favourite stars disappear from a dramatic turnaround for Redfoo who had earlier been unable to hide his excitement at getting some of the TV, it s worse when they disap- best scores of the night with three 8s and one 7, at the time putting him in second place. His face dropped pear with no intent of being found. in clear shock as he was told he was out, and he seemed almost at a lost for words as he left with pro While some are doing us a favour partner Emma Slater. 'I'm just happy that I got the chance to dance, and I did my best,' he finally said. 'I good-bye and good riddance we think Emma is the best and I wanted to be there for her, added Redfoo whose real name is Stefan Kendal bid a hearty farewell to the rest. Gordy. He earlier said that being at the bottom of the leaderboard had been both 'concerning and motivat- Here s a list of a few stars who ing'. 'I don't think anybody really knows how bad I want this,' he explained. 'They see the 'fro, they see the are currently missing-in-action in glasses and all this stuff - but I am serious.' He had added: 'When I saw those scores it lit a fire under me, the entertainment industry: and it said, Boy you better get your butt into gear . I wanna be here 'til the end.' Nadia Khan Dubbed the Oprah Winfrey of Pakistan by a local newspaper, Nadia Khan started her career host- Arjit and Ankit are good but not good ing a children s show in 1993. Luck followed her and she soon found herself working with big Television ENOUGH TO REPLACE ME: ATIF ASLAM channels like ARY Digital and Geo. However, what goes up must come down , her fame, although Our favourite rock star Atif Aslam pletely ruled out the idea of re- not short lived, went spiraling is all to make a comeback in Bolly- leasing his music album, I ll be down in 2010 when one of the wood after fans feared the Aadat releasing an album by the end of guests on her show Nadia Khan singer was replaced by younger this year but that ll be one song at Show filed a case against her. From rivals. a time. I don t want to put 10 the luxury life in Dubai, she soon Over the past couple of years songs up at once. found herself running away from musicians Arjit Singh and Ankit Atif says his inspiration for UAE and hiding from the media. Tiwari who rose to fame after music comes from his baby boy, The last we saw of the famous hits like Tum hee ho and Sun raha Ahad, who was born last year. host was in 2013 when she hosted hai na tu in Aashiqui 2 seem to He inspires me to make music. her last episode of evening show, have taken Bollywood by storm. Since being a father I have actually Nadia Khan Show. Ap ka nikkah- But now Atif is back to reclaim gotten back to who I was. Shar- nama kahan hai? ; sound familiar? his throne as Bollywood s most ing the pleasures of fatherhood, The vigil-aunty , Maya Khan had sought after singer. Psyched to re- Atif remarked, I was not inno- youngsters in Pakistan fuming lease his single, Zindagi Aa Raha cent at all, I see my innocence in with rage when the ARY morning Hu Mein in collaboration with Ahad. show host went on mission Un- Bhushan Kumar of T-Series, the Of recent, Atif Aslam stole the artist told The Express Tribune, analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted a He last released his music al- show at the Global Indian Music I have recorded the song already picture of Atif Aslam, Tiger Sher- bum Meri Kahani in 2008; since Academy Awards performing an and we ll be shooting the video off, Ahmed Khan and Bhushan then he has been mainly working impressive mash up of his hit Bol- soon . Kumar, and broke news of the on Bollywood projects and singles lywood tracks. In attendance were The song deals with happi- forthcoming project. and has appeared in three seasons music icons, Zakir Hussain, AR ness, life, encouragement and pos- Arjit and Ankit are good, but of Coke Studio. Speaking of his Rehman, Sonu Nigam and the likes. itivity a message directed to the not good enough to replace me. Bollywood projects, Atif revealed Performing in front of legends like ly unveiled her lawn collection for fluences feature Indian and Orien- youth of today. The music video, They still cover my songs and per- he has been offered to act in films, Zakir Hussain was a moment of 2015 to a selective crowd in the tal elements, with outplayed flo- choreographed by Ahmad Khan, form on my Bollywood hits at their I have a few scripts but I don t pride for me. It s good to be sur- city. rals and traditional inspiration. will feature the Heropanti star concerts. I take pride in that, Atif want to consider them. I want to rounded by musical legends and be The lovely March evening saw She added, Our Balochi-inspired alongside the singer. answered when asked if he feels revive my music for now. appreciated for your work, said a garden party with an innovative design has heavy Afghani influence, Earlier, film critic and trade threatened by the younger lot. However, he has not com- Atif gleefully. display of lawn. Hung from the with Balochi cuts fused with Af- ceiling were select frames of Shah- ghani embroidery patterns, so that jahan s prints, adorned with flow- design, in particular, featured an er arrangements. The designer s interesting fusion of aesthetics friends and supporters could be from a specific region. seen wearing her prints, which gave A particular favourite from the a much better idea of what they collection is the print Shahjahan would look like, as opposed to herself chose to wear to the launch. them being swathed over a manne- It featured a traditional Balochi quin. design. Commenting on her price- married Couples Clean Sweep in Shahjahan said she drew inspi- range, she said, Pricing is done on the parks of Karachi. The episode went viral but not in Maya Khan s ration from various cultural ele- the basis of the value we offer to favor, the public demanded an apol- ments of Asian art and culture, our patrons. We feel we are fol- ogy from the TV show host which specifically Indian and oriental. lowing industry standards in this she refused to give and what fol- However, one could also see some regard and our price reflects the lowed was the end of yet another tribal, boho-chic and animal-print quality and diversity we provide morning show. She made a small influences on her collection. The in lawn. The lawn is priced be- comeback in 2013 as a host of a line featured three-piece lawn suits tween Rs6,496 and Rs7,295. Ramadan transmission but since with intricate machine embroidery, This year, some designers have then we ve lost her again. Lately, particularly focused around the kept away from delving into the we haven t been seeing eye-to- neckline. Among the most refresh- lawn market, either because they d eye , and that upsets us. Bagging ing pieces were plain lowers with prefer to be exclusive or have too a gold medal and 3 world records, white embroidery, which gave a much on their plate. Taher Shah left us hypnotized as much-needed break to the print However, it cannot be ignored his song became a hit worldwide extravaganza many other lawn de- that lawn is gradually seeping its and won him the POP Sensation Singer Award in Google searches. signers have been delivering. The way back into the industry, with The record artist was in the lime- neutral lowers complemented the multiple billboards spread across light when he released his debut striking prints rather than bringing cities with local and cross-border song, Eye-to-Eye in 2013. But them down. celebrities sporting designer piec- since the hype died down, his The colour palette featured es. spectrum and sensual eyes blues, yellows and pinks on white, Multiple lawn exhibitions are have been missing-in-action. May- which will remain a summer favou- kept alive with the help of lawn be he s busy working on another rite. Prior to the exhibition, it was enthusiasts. Ladies are often over- anatomy of the body, ah, that s expected that florals, a Shahjahan heard complaining of the hefty probably it. See you in 15 years staple, would be seen in her col- price tags but still continue to buy Taher, can t wait to hear what lection but this year, she managed them. It s not uncommon that they you ll come up with next! With a to curb her inclination towards buy a three-piece designer lawn record number of dramas under her them. Florals will always be an print only to create multiple out- belt, Sadia Imam is widely known integral part of our design philos- fits out of one. With price tags rang- for her serials such as Colony 52, ophy at Zara Shahjahan but, for ing from Rs6,000 to Rs8,000, ev- Bilqees Kaur & Humse Juda Na our lawn collection this year, we ery woman can t afford them but Hona, among many others. The added floral-border side-panels to that doesn t stop some from want- model-turned-actress was in the create an interesting fusion of ing them. Zara Shahjahan s lawn limelight during the 90s, dominat- The collection s colour palette features blues, yellows and pinks on white, which prints, she said. was launched in shops and on her ing television screens all over Pa- When asked what s different official website on March 21. kistan. continue to be a summer favourite. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. WEDNESDAY. MARCH 25, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES LeBron Nadal to play at Queen's Club ending three-year absence guides Rafael Nadal says he will play at this year's Queen's Club, ending his three-year absence at the grass- Cavaliers court tournament. Nadal, who lifted the trophy in 2008, has gone on to reach the past the Wimbledon final following every appearance at the event that is tra- ditionally seen as a warm-up to Bucks the SW19 championships. ''I always loved playing at The Forward LeBron James scored 28 Queen's Club and I am very hap- points and guard JR Smith made py that I will be back this year,'' seven three-pointers to finish with Nadal said. 23 points as the Cleveland Cava- ''It was a great experience for liers beat Milwaukee 108-90, hand- me to lift the trophy in 2008 be- ing the Bucks their sixth straight cause it is such an important and loss. Elsewhere, the LA Clippers extended their winning streak to traditional tournament. To win four games with a 107-100 victo- Wimbledon a few weeks later was ry over the New Orleans Pelicans. like a dream.'' The return after a two-game The 28-year-old Nadal will be absence of forward Anthony joined by the defending champion Davis, who scored a game-high 26 Grigor Dimitrov, US Open winner points, could not prevent the Pel- Marin Cilic, 2014 Australian Open icans from slipping three games victor Stan Wawrinka and World behind Oklahoma City in the race No.4 Andy Murray in this year's for the final playoff spot in the draw. Western Conference. Guard Jere- ''Coming helps with the adjust- my Lin came off the bench to score a game-high 29 points and the Los ment from clay to grass because Angeles Lakers beat the Philadel- the grass courts at Queen's are so phia 76ers 101-87. good,'' Nadal added. Conor McGregor s bravado includes comparing upcoming fight to Mayweather-Pacquiao LAS VEGAS: Fed a series of pre- gins. dictable, softball and occasionally Aldo is one of the greatest inane questions Monday during fighters in the history of the sport. the second stop of an eight-city, Every other division has a differ- five-country tour to promote their ent champion than existed when July 11 bout in the main event of he was awarded the UFC feather- UFC 189 at the MGM Grand weight belt when the old World Garden for the featherweight title, Extreme Cagefighting organization champion Jose Aldo and Conor disbanded and was merged into the McGregor reacted quite predict- UFC. ably. Only Aldo has remained cham- Mayweather-Pacquiao revenue over $400m: Report Aldo, who met the media first pion, and he's done it in amazingly in a conference room at the Red one-sided fashion. While he hasn't Rock Resort on Monday, seemed been nearly as jaw-dropping as he Record-shattering revenue totals largely bored by the entire thing. was in his WEC days, he's been for Manny Pacquiao's upcoming He said little of note other than to just as successful. boxing showdown with unbeaten admit he supports the UFC's new He's won 18 in a row overall, Floyd Mayweather could surpass drug-testing plans and that he pays 15 in WEC/UFC combined and $400 million, promoter Bob Arum little attention to McGregor's an- seven in a row in the UFC. None told ESPN in a report on the sports tics. of those fights were even remote- network's website. Meanwhile, the Irishman said ly close. The welterweight title unifica- that after meeting the Brazilian He's fast, strong, powerful and tion fight May 2 in Las Vegas will face-to-face last week, he's con- as well-rounded as any fighter in generate $74 million from just over vinced Aldo is afraid. the sport's history. 15,000 tickets at MGM Grand "Fear has a strong stench, and While McGregor has been ex- Garden Arena, Pacquiao promoter he is reeking of it," McGregor said. ceptionally impressive in his short Arum told ESPN, flattening the old "I see fear. [His eyes looked like] UFC run, he hasn't come any- mark of just over $20 million for glass." where close to regularly facing the Mayweather's 2013 fight with Saul The goal of the news confer- kind of opposition that Aldo has "Canelo" Alvarez in the same ven- ence, of course, was to jump start routed. ue. ticket sales and get the drums beat- "He's all talk," Aldo said, dis- Promoters first aimed for $40 ing for the pay-per-view. missively, of McGregor. "Just a million, then boosted the ticket Of course, if you listen to the mouth." prices from $1,000 to $1,500 at brash and frequently over-the-top And so a lot of what the fight the low end and $5,000 to $7,500 McGregor, there is no need to boils down to is whether McGre- for the best seats due to huge de- worry about ticket sales. McGre- gor is talented enough to fight at mand for the ducats, Arum said. gor laughably predicted that the the absolute highest level and But organizers have now shuf- pay-per-view sales would come whether Aldo can keep his cool to fled the number of seats in various close to the record total expected remain focused on his gameplan. price ranges and boosted top seats to be sold for the Floyd May- Aldo seemed to come unrav- to $10,000 to raise the live gate weather-Manny Pacquiao boxing eled a bit at an introductory news total from $50 million to $74 mil- lion. Fan tipped read And few if any seats will be Waqar fears death of Pakistan cricket available for public sale, with pro- to Every on Bay moters, telecasters HBO and SYDNEY: Waqar Younis warned for a visit in May this year. problem, said Waqar, himself a Showtime, the fighters and the host Tuesday that cricket could die out Waqar believes Pakistan s great fast bowler. I think we venue each taking a share of the in Pakistan if rival teams continue quarter-final exit from the World should feel proud of our bowling Hill-winning tickets. to boycott the country where in- Cup at the hands of Australia at the World Cup. Manny Pacquiao speaks as ternational tours have not taken showed there is a lot of hard work But it s the batting where we birdie putt promoter Bob Arum looks on at place since 2009. to be done on the country s crick- have been struggling for a long time the Floyd Mayweather v Manny There has been no international et set-up and infrastructure. now and after Misbah-ul-Haq and Matt Every had just hit his ap- Pacquiao Press C cricket in Pakistan since the mili- If we want to save Pakistan Younis Khan whenever he quits proach shot into the par-4 18th at "We'll probably have a hand- tant attacks on the Sri Lankan team cricket we have to lift our domes- we will have a big vacuum. Bay Hill, his 72nd hole of the Ar- ful of tickets that will go on sale to in Lahore in March 2009 which tic game because there was a big It is a matter of putting things nold Palmer Invitational. If he made the public next week," Arum said. killed eight people and injured sev- difference in standards at the World in order. It s not only about win- the 17-foot birdie putt he left him- "It's mania." en visiting players. Cup. We were well behind other ning the World Cup but also im- self, perhaps he would win at the There will be only about 1,100 The biggest hurt is that we teams. proving our ranking by lifting our King's Orlando digs for a second seats at $10,000, none of them for are not able to stage international We can t delay it, we need standards. matches, Pakistan head coach power-hitters like there are in oth- Waqar said strict rules on bowl- consecutive year. public sale, according to the report. "I walked up to the green and Boxing's record for pay-per- Waqar told AFP. er teams and players who can score ing actions badly affected Paki- I fear the game might die out 300-plus runs, said Waqar, whose stan s build-up for the World Cup. this guy in the crowd kept like view purchases is the 2.4 million coughing like, 'Straight putt, buys from Mayweather's 2007 as we lack talent at junior level and team only crossed the 300-mark Just before the World Cup, it s tough to indulge kids in crick- just once in seven games at the the International Cricket Council straight putt,'" Every said Sunday. split-decision victory over Oscar "I was like, This guy is a real- de la Hoya, but with Mayweath- et. It s a very important aspect, World Cup against the amateurs launched a crackdown and because match. conference in Rio de Janeiro, Bra- we have to bring international crick- of the United Arab Emirates. of that we lost Saeed Ajmal and ly d--- if he's lying to me," draw- Given the strong Brazilian fan zil, last week, when he stormed er-Pacquiao having taken more than five years to come together et back and the government has to Cricket is changing fast and Mohammad Hafeez, said Waqar ing laughter, "because it's a pretty base that is sure to descend upon out after being introduced and help in this regard. we have to keep pace with that, if of his two key spinners who were important moment." Las Vegas to support Aldo, and made an obscene gesture at with the planet's top pound-for- pound fighters, expectations of 3 The Pakistan Cricket Board not we will be left far behind. suspended due to illegal actions. [DraftKings: Win $1 Million the passionate Irish fan base that McGregor. managed to bring minnows Kenya Waqar stressed Pakistan need- But now is the time we travels with McGregor, there is lit- That would suggest that million pay-per-view buys at playing Fantasy Golf during the about $100 each could bring $300 for a short one-day series last year ed good batsmen. should lift ourselves because crick- Masters Sign up for free!] tle question that there will be a wild McGregor's never-ending mind and are negotiating with Zimbabwe Bowling has never been our et has been our pride. scene inside the Grand Garden on games might have worked, because million in sales for US, Puerto Straight in. That's what Matt that summer night. Aldo reacted in a way he never has Rican and Canadian markets alone. Every saw. He couldn't believe it. "The Brazilians won't even be previously. "We wouldn't have gotten a He went to his yardage book, hop- heard," McGregor said, chuckling. But he said that his coach, fraction of these numbers if we ing to find some kind of advice on "The Irish will flock on the fight Andre "Dede" Pederneiras, encour- made the fight five years ago," a putt that could get him back to capital, and everyone who gets off aged him to be more flamboyant Arum said. "It turned out that we're the Masters. But he went with his doing the fight at the right time, I that plane will be ready to fight, to try to promote more. read and stroked the downhill putt, guess, not that we're geniuses for not just me. I don't think the beau- "I just wanted to do something knowing that it wouldn't come up tiful city of Las Vegas knows what waiting this long." for the fans," Aldo said. Global rights are expected to short. it's in for." The best each of them can do It looked good right off the In a way, Aldo has no clue what ring up another $35 million, with a for their fans, of course, is to be at record $10 million already spent blade, but it had to feel like an eter- he's in for. Never before has he their absolute best on fight night faced such a man as McGregor, one for rights in the Philippines, where nity before it reached the cup. and put on a memorable show. Pacquiao is a Congressman as well The last three feet I was beg- who is quick-witted and meticu- McGregor won this stop in the lous in the way he approaches his as an iconic figure. ging for it to hang and I was like, journey by easy knockout, though "Between the gate, the foreign 'Gosh, these are the ones that al- marketing and media responsibili- that was hardly unexpected. Aldo ties. television sales and the closed cir- ways lip out. Be so cool to see doesn't speak English and isn't a cuit, which we can't even calculate this one dive in' and it did," Every McGregor not only pressures trash talker under the best of cir- his opponent during the fight, but yet, you're looking at over $120 explained. cumstances. also during the buildup. Not all million. And that's before one pay- The putt went in, Every made There are going to be a lot more per-view has been sold in the US," fighters can handle that, and many birdie and pumped his fist as he have wilted under it. staredowns stops in Los Ange- Arum told ESPN. les, Boston, New York, Toronto, Arum said Tecate beer, a long- finished off a final-round 66 to give "When you sign up to fight me, him a 72-hole total of 19 under par. it's a whole different ball game," London and Dublin are still to come time Pacquiao sponsor, won title on the tour so they'll get a chance sponsor rights with a $5.6 million Just a few minutes later, Henrik McGregor said. "It's that simple. Stenson missed a sliding birdie putt It's a whole different ball game. It to take the measure of each other bid, $400,000 more than rival Co- just swarms people and they start quite a few more times. rona, a long-time backer of May- to force a playoff. Every had won shrinking in their seats. Their eyes Many words will be spoken weather. again at Bay Hill. It was the kind start watering. Their bottom lip and written about the fight that "We've never see anything like of finish Every hoped would some- starts quivering. They're fighting UFC president Dana White be- that on a beer sponsor," Arum said. day happen for him. McGregor now. Definitely. I feel lieves is the most highly anticipat- "Both companies were after it. It's "It was cool because you they crumble every time." ed one currently on the schedule. a huge number." watch tournaments on TV and But in that same way, McGre- It's going to be up to them to Mayweather's camp receives guys make a 20-footer on the last gor may have no clue what he's in deliver once the bell rings, but 60 percent of the revenue with and everybody goes nuts," he said Pacquiao's side taking home 40 for when the talking is done, the things are off to a good start, with- of his second PGA Tour win. "It's cage door shuts and the fight be- out a doubt. percent. Arum said the contract gives cool to close one out like that." This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. WEDNESDAY. MARCH 25 . 2015 -Hamal 05, 1394 H.S Vol:IX Issue No:229 Price: Afs.15

Ghani, Obama asked to guard women s rights, 12 terror suspects ernance and the rule of law doesn t aging Afghanistan to improve its as a motivational force for insur- work. human rights record. gent and terrorist groups world- arrested in Kandahar trash strongmen Ghani has signaled a Human Rights Watch also wide. AT Monitoring Desk readiness to reform judiciary sys- called on Ghani to press Obama US personnel tortured and National Directorate of Security usually do not contain information from abusive militias in tem and rein in abusive security on closing the detention facility at killed detainees in Afghanistan, KABUL: President Ashraf Ghani Afghanistan to the mistreatment of forces whose targets have Guantanamo Bay and reopening Sifton said. Ghani should use his (NDS) Afghanistan s intelligence about the exact date of the inci- and the United States President detainees at Bagram and Guantan- included journalists and human investigations into torture and oth- meeting with Obama to ask him to agency has arrested 12 suspect- dent but their statements are is- Barack Obama should make human amo. rights activists. The US needs to er ill-treatment of detainees by the order or reopen criminal investiga- ed terrorists in southern Kandahar sued after recent activities. rights issues a key agenda item For more than 13 years, the support this effort by tailoring aid CIA and US military personnel tions. province. during meetings on Afghanistan, US and Afghan governments have commitments to motivate Afghan during the Bush administration, Ghani and Obama should A statement issued NDS on Human Rights Watch (HRW) said attempted to achieve security at security bureaucracies to hold per- including in Afghanistan, abuses publicly commit to making human Tuesday states that these terror- the other day. the expense of human rights, and petrators accountable. The US which were rights and accountability priorities ists were arrested during separates According to a statement by the effort has failed, said John Sif- should tie security assistance to extensively documented by Hu- in their new joint security strate- operations from the jurisdiction of ton, Asia advocacy director. The HRW, both the US and Afghan demonstrated improvements in man Rights Watch. Impunity for gy, Sifton said. It s time to re- Kandahar province. governments have a legacy of hu- evidence is in: arming powerful security forces accountability, and those abuses has damaged US cred- ject the temptation of expediency man rights violations to address, strongmen at the cost of good gov- explore other options for encour- ibility on human rights and served over respect for human rights. NDS statement adds that the arrested terrorists were actively involved in terrorist activities in- cluding suicide attacks and plant- Protests in Kabul still simmering on Farkhunda s tragic death ing landmines in Kandahar prov- By Akhtar M. Nikzad ince. who has also attended the protest, political figure, said, Afghan were allegedly involved in lynch- The names of the arrested sus- told Afghanistan Times that the masses are peace loving people and ing of Farkhunda. pects are reported as Tooryalai, government should not turn a blind we have a rich culture and will de- He added that they suspend- Abdul Razaq, Wali Mohammad, eye and deaf ear to this issue and fend from our rights till last drop ed 13 policemen for negligence in Ahmad Gul, Shafiullah, Ahmadul- Traffic accident should bring those responsible to of our blood. their duty. lah, Atta Mohammad, Mohammad justice. He stressed that the govern- Farkhunda s father told media- Haroon, Noor Agha, Saifuddin, leaves 3 persons She said that Farkhunda was ment should spare no efforts to men that his daughter went to Shir Agha and Abdul Shakur. brutally killed in front of public arrest and punish those involved Shah-e-Doshamshera shrine to and no one including police could in killing of the innocent woman. stop a faith healer from deceiving NDS also states that the ar- dead, 9 injured in rescue her, but today people s gath- Kabul Police Chief, Abdul people. The faith healer falsely rested individuals have confessed ering proved that she was inno- Rahman Rahimi, talking to a press accused her of burning a copy of to their crimes during interrogation. Herat cent. conference on Monday said that Holy Qura an and encouraged peo- Statements from the National A traffic accident has left three Ahmad Sayedi, a prominent police have arrested 18 people who ple to beat her, he added. Directorate of Security (NDS) people killed and nine others wounded in western Herat prov- ince. Tuberculosis claims 13,000 lives annually: Minister Abdul Rawouf Ahmadi, By Farhad Naibkhel spokesman for the governor of Herat province told Khaama Press on annual basis, he added. agnosed every year. She added that that a civilian vehicle was travel- The minister said that vulner- 1.5 million People die because of ing from Korkh district to the cap- KABUL: Hundreds of people heinous act and called on judicial able people including women and tuberculosis annually more than gathered in front of Supreme Court organizations to publicly prose- children, returnees, internally dis- 4,000 people a day. The repre- ital city of Herat which turned tur- in Kabul on Monday to seek jus- cute murders of the 27-year old placed persons (IDPs) and elderly sentative said tuberculosis is also tle on the way leaving three civil- tice for Farkhunda, a 27-year old woman. people are mostly at risk of the one of the biggest health challeng- ians killed and nine others wound- woman lynched by an angry mob Many of the female protest- disease. Tuberculosis can be pre- es facing Afghanistan. Our orga- ed. last week. ors inked their faces red to sym- vented, cured and controlled given nization has provided technical and He said that the incident took After falsely accusing her of bolize Farkhunda s blood-stained that an affected person with the financial support to the National place Monday afternoon in the burning Holy Qura an, a mob in face. disease is provided quality treat- TB Control Program since its es- Kabul beat Farkhunda to death, The protestors were carrying jurisdiction of Korkh district. ment and awareness about ways tablishment in the 1950s and is Victims of the accident were burned her dead body and then banners which read we want jus- of controlling the illness, he said. committed to continue its sup- threw her corpse into Kabul River tice for Farkhunda , we are He reiterated that the Minis- port, she added. We had several transported to Herat Regional by Shah-e-Doshamshera Mosque. Farkhunda , don t kill me: try of Public Health (MoPH) is achievements in fighting tubercu- Hospital where the injuries of two Hundreds of people including Farkhunda and death to igno- KABUL: Public Health Minister gathering was attended by several committed to increase treatment losis and there was a steady in- persons were announced to be life civil society and right activists, rance . Ferozuddin Feroz said Tuesday high-ranking officials including of- facilities to 90 percent in every crease in TB case notification. threatening. university professors, political fig- The protestors were chanting that tuberculosis as an infectious ficials of the Public Health Minis- hook and nook of the country. She noted that the number of Injuries of two persons are ures, social workers, and lawmak- the slogans of We want justice , disease claims nearly 13,000 lives try. He urged relevant internation- people having access to Directly life threatening. Ahmadi said. ers gathered in front of Supreme we are Farkhunda , support for in the country on annual basis, but He said that out of 58,000 cas- al organizations to help the minis- Observed Treatment Short Course The three persons killed in the Court to protest lynching of ignorance is a crime and it can be cured and prevented. es of tuberculosis in 2014, 56 per- try in fight against the infectious (DOTS) facilities in Afghanistan Farkhunda. The protesters said Farkhunda was our sister . accident are two children and one The minister was speaking at cent were diagnosed and went un- disease. has increased from 14 percent in man. that those responsible for Farkhun- The protestors called on judi- Representative of World 2001 to 97 percent. I believe that a ceremony celebrating the World der a six-month treatment course. Bad road conditions and un- da s murders should be held ac- cial organizations to prosecute Tuberculosis Day. The session Afghanistan is among 22 coun- Health Organization (WHO), Iman we can make a TB-free Afghani- professional driving are considered countable. those involved in lynching of was titled Early Diagnosis and tries where tuberculosis cases are Shan Kiti, said tuberculosis is one stan if we have huge and honest The protestors were chanting Farkhunda Quality Treatment and Crucial in widespread and where the infec- of the world s top health challeng- support by the common masses, as the main causes behind the traf- slogans against perpetrators of the Nilofar Ebrahimi, a lawmaker Fight against the Disease . The tious disease claims 13,000 lives es, with nine million new cases di- she concluded. fic accidents in Afghanistan. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF.